The winningest coach in Big South Conference volleyball history, Julie Torbett, continues her impressive coaching career as she leads the Winthrop Eagles for a second season. The list of achievements is long and bolsters the fact that if there has been one constant to Torbett’s 20 year coaching tenure, it is success.
“Competitive Drive, Loyalty, Attitude and Work Ethic” is the foundation for Torbett’s Winthrop volleyball program. In 2011, the Eagles compiled a 20-8 overall record, a 12-2 conference record, and the 2011 regular season championship, the first since 2007. Under Torbett’s guidance, Senior Rebecca Toor earned Big South Player of the Year, while Sophomore Stephanie Palmer took home First Team All-Conference honors.
Prior to arriving at Winthrop, Torbett amassed an impressive resume. She arrived on the coaching scene following an excellent playing career at national volleyball powerhouse Penn State where she earned a degree in Exercise and Sport Science. Torbett played middle back defensive specialist for the Nittany Lions and legendary coach Russ
Rose.
Torbett, formerly Julie Firth, helped lead Penn State to four consecutive Atlantic 10 championships and NCAA appearances. She credits her college coach (Russ Rose) and mentor with making her tough and never being content. “I believe that I can continually recruit the best athletes in the Big South Conference and produce a championship
program that will once again dominate the league,” she says. “I am a competitor that fi nds ways to work in the team environment of athletics to achieve outstanding results by motivating young women to exceed their capabilities.”
In 1994, she became one of the youngest head coaches in the nation, taking over UNC Asheville after serving as an assistant for only one year. During her 17 years at UNC Asheville, her teams won 304 games and compiled an overall record of 304-261 while capturing two Big South Conference regular season championships and a No. 10 ranking in the NCAA South Region. Torbett has coached numerous NCAA All-Americans, NCAA statistical leaders, and more than 40 of her players have earned All-Conference honors. Torbett was honored in 2002 and 2009 as the Big South Conference Coach of the Year.
In addition to an impressive record, Torbett strives to empower young female athletes not only on the court but in the classroom and in the community. With her emphasis on academics,Torbett’s athletes have combined to earn 17 Academic All-Big South honors,and many of her teams have been awarded the AVCA Academic All-America
Award only given to teams with cumulative GPA’s over 3.3. “I want each of our athletes to leave here with a first class education and the tools necessary to succeed in life.”
The commitment to playing an active role in community leadership has led Coach Torbett and her teams to be involved in numerous community outreach programs. Each year members of her volleyball team visit local elementary
schools, retirement communities and participate in numerous fundraising events. In 2011, the volleyball team helped raised $805.00 for the American Cancer Society. In addition, Torbett has shown a commitment to growing the sport of volleyball through her involvement with Biltmore Volleyball Academy and numerous other camps and clinics.
Torbett has three sons, Nathanael, 17, who will be a freshman soccer player at Winthrop beginning the 2013 season; Colby, 14, and Tristan, 12.
