Pittsburgh assistant and Michigan alum Alija Pittenger was announced as the new head volleyball coach on Monday morning. Pittenger, who spent the past five seasons on Chris Beerman’s staff at Pittsburgh, replaces Jeff Werneke, who moved on to Rutgers earlier this year.
“We are excited to welcome Alija to the Fairfield University community as our volleyball coach,” said Athletic Director Gene 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.”
Pittenger played at Michigan from 1997 to 2000 and helped the team to three NCAA tournaments during that time. In 1999, Pittenger played Fairfield in the tournament.
Prior to becoming an assistant at Pittsburgh, she was an assistant coach at Southern Indiana. In her one season at the school, she helped lead them to a conference championship, a berth in the Division II tournament and a first round victory.
Beerman promoted Pittenger to head assistant in 2007.
“Her dedication, hard work and loyalty have been a major factor in Pitt’s success the past four years,” said Beerman in the announcement of her promotion. “Alija is very talented in all facets of collegiate coaching.”
While at Pittsburgh, the Panthers won a Big East championship and earned two NCAA tournament appearances. Last season she coached three players to All-Big East honors in addition to a Big East Libero of the Year award and an AVCA All-America honoree.
Pittenger will inherit a talented team that finished 21-13 last season and 17-1 in the MAAC. Karlie Urbaniak and Brandi Higa lead the senior class, while Katie Mann ’10 and Barbie Thistle ’10 lead a solid group of underclassmen.
Check back tomorrow for an exclusive interview with the new head coach.
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