Berg Explores Options, Eyes Possibility of Coaching

Erin Berg, a North Carolina alumna is a volleyball lifer -- she just hasn't come around yet.

"Her calling is to be a coach," said former teammate Shannon Smith. "She's fighting it right now, but I think she'll come back to it."

As a player, it was Berg's determination and knowledge of the game that helped her excel as a setter during her collegiate career.

UNC coach Joe Sagula called Berg another coach on the court.

"I think he respected me as much as I could have hoped for in my volleyball knowledge," Berg said. "I was never the absolute best athlete on the court, out of natural ability. But because of my background and because of my position in being a setter, and being really smart about it, he respected what I thought, and what I thought would work for the team."

Smith recalled a 1997 game at the Hawaii Rainbow Classic, playing before 10,000 people, the Tar Heels were down two games to host Hawaii.

"Erin said, 'Every single ball, I'm setting you a seven,' which is a set from behind. 'We're not going out like this.' And then no matter where the ball was on the court, she kept trying to get it to me," Smith said.

UNC forced Hawaii to three extra points that game, but still lost. That kind of determination helped UNC to an 80-55 record during Berg's four years.

Sagula credits Berg with helping to elevate UNC volleyball to its current standing as a premier program.

"She brought a vision that we can be really good and play hard, and be better than we were," Sagula said.

Berg's vision started to form on the volleyball-mad islands of Hawaii.

Growing up in Honolulu, Berg was in the gym for as long as she can remember. She calls her father, also her coach for two years, her biggest influence. The knowledge she gained early was key to her later success.

When it came time for college, Berg narrowed her choices to Texas or UNC.

"I felt that UNC was just a better fit for me, in the size of the school, and it just really appealed to me," she said. "And the amount of pride that went along with putting on a Carolina jersey is amazing."

As it turned out, the player who put on the jersey for UNC was amazing herself.

"I remember (Berg) being very determined, very vocal and an amazing leader," said UNC outside hitter Laura Greene. "I think that's what coach needed to put the program on the next level."

Berg was thrust into a starting role from day one, because the team's other setter had quit, but she didn't feel any pressure.

"I was just so excited - to be there, and to be playing and to have the opportunity to play right away," she said.

Berg's first three years were educational.

During an up-and-down first two seasons, the Tar Heels went 37-30. Her junior year they lost several close games, finishing 14-17. This is when Berg said she matured the most as leader, learning how to pick up a team and turn one game's loss into next game's win.

Off the floor, Berg was gaining valuable life experience.

"There's so much about athletics that you can apply to your everyday life that people don't even realize," she said. "Being aggressive, just being determined, and being disciplined to do stuff."

Berg's senior season was a banner year, both for her and the team.

The Tar Heels went 29-8, won the regular season ACC title, and made their first NCAA tournament appearance of the 1990s in '98. Berg was named ACC Player of the Year that same season.

"Going to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 10 years was absolutely amazing," she said. "I learned so much about myself and working as a team and getting through those hard times and then actually breaking through - it was huge."

Berg then served one year as an assistant at UNC. Even though it was tough for her to stay on the bench come game time, she said it was ultimately rewarding because of the team's success.

Now working in advertising as an assistant account executive in Austin, Texas, Berg plays once or twice a week. She has fielded an offer to coach, but like Smith said, she's fighting it as best she can.

"I love coaching and I've been around volleyball so much of my life," Berg said. "(Smith) very well could be right, but I think I wanted to check out other things and do some other stuff, but eventually I think she may have hit the nail on the head. I'll probably get back to coaching."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.