When Jeff Werneke took the Rutgers head volleyball coach position, he left behind a program that is among the best in the MAAC. His former position was filled on Monday, by Pittsburgh assistant coach Alija Pittenger.
Pittenger, who graduated from the University of Michigan in 2001, had spent the past five years at Pittsburgh University, serving as the lead assistant coach under Chris Beerman.
“I knew Fairfield had a successful program and, as soon as I heard about the opening, I pursued it,” said Pittenger.
“They won the conference in the regular season and have a lot of talent, and I want to keep that going.”
Pittenger was hired after a month-and-a-half long search for a coach, led by Athletic Director Gene Doris.
“We are excited to welcome Alija to the Fairfield University community as our volleyball coach,” said Doris.
“She brings with her a wealth of experience at the highest levels of NCAA competition. Combined with her enthusiasm for the sport, she’s the perfect fit to continue the Fairfield volleyball tradition.”
While a player at Michigan, Pittenger, an outside hitter and setter, led her team to three NCAA tournaments in 1997, 1999 and 2000. In 2000, Fairfield played Pittenger’s Michigan squad and were swept.
The Wolverines also reached the top 25 for the first time in school history in 2000. When she left Michigan, she was the team leader in digs and second in kills.
Following her playing career, Pittenger became an underclassman assistant at Michigan and then moved on to Southern Indiana. She spent one season at Southern Indiana, helping to lead them to a conference championship, a berth in the NCAA Division II tournament and a first round victory. After that season she went on to Pittsburgh.
“I got a lot [out] of playing volleyball – competitiveness and confidence,” said Pittenger. “I benefited so much and wanted to continue to give that to others.”
While at Pittsburgh, Pittenger filled many roles for Beerman and helped them to a Big East title and back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances.
“She is a tremendous coach,” said Beerman. “She is professional, intelligent and real as a person.
“It was a great hire, I know it can be a challenge looking for new coaches.”
“I already miss having her here. She was in charge of traveling and recruiting, is very organized, good in the office and the gym,” he added.
Pittenger said that she learned a lot during her time at Pittsburgh, improving her coaching and gaining the necessary experience to move on to the Fairfield job.
“I did a little bit of everything [at Pittsburgh],” said Pittenger. “I learned [from Beerman that] a competitive attitude to be the best in everything.”
As of now, Pittenger is still getting acclimated to Fairfield, but she said that she will continue to do some things the same way as Werneke, but she will do other things differently.
“I’m getting to know the players and seeing what we have to do to improve,” said Pittenger. “Right now I’m just learning about the team.”
Pittenger inherits a team that won the MAAC Regular Season title and went to the MAAC Championship game for four straight seasons, but never advanced into the NCAA Tournament.
The Stags will lose a core group of seniors who all rank among the best in school history, but will return a solid team.
Karlie Urbaniak and Brandi Higa will make up the senior class, while Katie Mann ’10 and Barbie Thistle ’10 lead a strong group of underclassmen.
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