August 12, 2002
Former Michigan standout joins USI volleyball coaching staff
The University of Southern Indiana announced that former University of Michigan standout Alija Pittenger is joining the volleyball coaching staff. Pittenger will assist Head Coach Craig Bere in all facets of the USI volleyball program.
“Alija will be a major asset to our program,” Bere stated. “I am excited to have such a great person join the USI volleyball staff. She is going to provide a great deal of knowledge. Alija’s high level playing and training experience will have an immediate impact.”
A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Pittenger earned four varsity letters as an outside hitter/setter for the Wolverines’ volleyball team. She helped Michigan to its first top 25 ranking in school history and a berth in the 2000 NCAA I Tournament.
Pittenger finished her senior season with the team lead in digs (455) and was second on the team in kills (379). During her junior season, she recorded 368 digs and 265 kills.
As an outside hitter during her junior and senior seasons, Pittenger averaged 2.84 kills and 3.63 digs per game. She averaged 7.81 assists as a sophomore setter.
Pittenger graduated from Michigan in December of 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in Movement Science.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
