Erin Colletti was extremely humble when I asked her what it will feel like to join the Sandburg Hall of Fame on Nov. 10.

Not that her answer surprised me or anything.

“It’s kind of surreal, you know?” Colletti said. “I don’t feel like I’m supposed to be there. I mean, whoever feels like they should?

“I’m just so honored. I have always been so proud to be a Sandburg Eagle. I have a lot of pride in where I come from. To be named in the Hall of Fame with so many great athletes …”

She didn’t correct me when I suggested that, at twice their age now, she could probably still run with the best of the school’s girls volleyball and basketball players.

“Honestly, sometimes I think I’m better than I used to be,” Colletti said, laughing. “I’m a lot smarter, and I’m probably in better shape right now.”

Colletti will be honored along with Sandburg notables Phil Collins, Jenny Collins, Allan Jaklich, Bill Gorney, Al Grossman, Ron Larcher, Julie Fahy-Maginot, Conrad Polz and Doug Sutor.

Her credentials are incredible.

At Sandburg, Erin Cattell made a name for herself as an excellent volleyball and basketball player. During her 2004-05 senior year, both teams made it to state. The story behind her volleyball season is one we’ll talk about shortly.

She went on to play in college at DePaul for the legendary Doug Bruno. As a freshman, she helped the Blue Demons earn a Sweet 16 berth for the first time in program history. She went on to play in 113 games.

Bruno took long — and quite enjoyable — pauses while describing what she meant to DePaul’s program.

“She was a great teammate,” Bruno said. “Very unselfish. Very versatile. She could play inside and outside. She had just a great enthusiasm and gusto for the game.”

Need more?

After college, Colletti got married and coached on the lower levels at Sandburg before joining the staff at Naperville North. She became the head coach in 2019 and posted a sterling 86-23 record. Over four seasons, her teams won three DuPage Valley Conference titles.

This spring, Colletti stepped down from coaching high school to spend more time raising her four children — at least until they’re all old enough to play.

“This is actually my second year coaching my second grader,” Colletti said. “Everyone is like, ‘You are going to coach them one day at (Naperville) Central.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s a long way away.’ We’ll see how that goes.”

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In the meantime, let’s do some reminiscing.

This is by far my favorite Erin Cattell story. In fall 2004, the 6-foot-1 middle hitter decided to drop volleyball and focus on her basketball future at DePaul.

She was very close, however, with several members of the volleyball team and attended all of their matches. After several losses and a subpar record, it became evident the Eagles were struggling and needed more help at the net.

Cattell went to coach Kelly Mendoza and offered her services as a backup. Mendoza put it to a vote of the players and Cattell joined the team. The Eagles roared back to life, advancing to the Class AA state finals.

“I was going to the games,” Colletti said. “I started thinking, ‘What are you doing? Why are you in the stands? Get back on the bench. You’re not going to get hurt.’

“People were upset, and I was like, ‘Oh, can I just come back on?’ And they had this team vote, and Sarah Kwasigroch was like, ‘Everybody better vote yes.’ It was just so cool. I was so glad that they let me back on. It was all meant to be.”

The Sandburg Hall of Fame? That’s how it should be.