Michigan women’s volleyball is on the rise.
Between the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the Wolverines increased their wins by 11 games, finishing 18-13 (8-12 in the Big Ten) overall. Head coach Erin Virtue is entering her third season in charge and eighth overall with Michigan — she says this 2025 squad is the deepest roster she’s had.
“I’m really excited to see us go to battle this year,” Virtue said Tuesday in Chicago at Big Ten Volleyball Media Days. “We have the deepest team we've ever had since I've been [at] Michigan, and that includes the times I was an assistant coach.”The Wolverines are returning 13 athletes this season, while adding two transfers and three freshmen. Michigan spent 13 days playing on an international tour last month in Italy and Greece, meaning the team was able to get in 10 summer practices they wouldn’t typically have. That extra practice enabled the squad to start meshing together earlier than usual.
“This didn't feel as much as a stop-start as a lot of summers often do,” outside hitter Allison Jacobs said. “It was more like we know what the flow is and we show up in July and commit to each other and do what you've got to do before the coaches get in the gym. It's really been a fun time.”
Big Ten Volleyball programs are set to begin practice Saturday, but both Jacobs and libero Maddi Cuchran said the season started to feel real Tuesday at Media Days. For this team, every day counts.
“There’s not gonna be a moment of ‘oh we’ll lock in when we have our first preseason game,’” Jacobs said. “We know how important every practice is, every rep is. So the second we’re in the gym, it’s go time.”
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