Sandra Yu joined the Valparaiso University women's soccer program as an assistant coach in the summer of 2019 and enters her second season as an assistant coach in 2020. Yu brings a myriad of high-level playing experience to the Valpo program, as she was a first-round National Women’s Soccer League draft pick, a collegiate All-American and a member of the United States youth national system.

Yu was the eighth overall draft choice in the 2018 National Women’s Soccer League college draft, selected by the Portland Thorns following a standout career at Notre Dame. With the Fighting Irish, Yu appeared in 63 matches, recording 13 goals and seven assists. She closed her career at Notre Dame in 2017 by earning United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American accolades, as well as First Team All-Region and First Team All-ACC recognition.

Yu represented the United States at numerous levels of the youth system as well, most recently being called into camp with the U.S. U-23s in 2016 and 2017. She was called into the U-20s camp in 2013, while also appearing in camp at the U-14, U-15, U-17 and U-18 level.

Yu came to Valpo after most recently coaching with Ambassadors Football Club in Cleveland, where she provided private and small group training sessions for youth players and also oversaw four college-aged teams in the summer of 2019. She also brings experience working Notre Dame summer camps during her time as a player for the Fighting Irish.

Yu earned her bachelor's degree in science business from the University of Notre Dame in 2017, and went on to earn a master's of science in management in 2018.