TOWSON, Md. – Towson University volleyball head coach Don Metil announced that assistant coach Alija Pittenger has left the Tiger program to become the head coach at Loyola University.

"Having interviewed qualified and impressive coaching candidates for our (assistant coaching) position, Alija impressed me in every area I was looking for," Metil said. "I'm sad to see her leave in such a short period of time, but Loyola gains a valuable coach, evaluator of talent and a respected individual. It is a perfect situation for her, and I see Loyola becoming a team on the rise both in the Maryland area and in the Patriot League."

During the 2014 season, Pittenger helped the Tigers complete one of the best turnarounds in program history. Towson went from 10-24 in 2013 to 27-5 in 2014. Under Pittenger's tutelage, the Tigers led the league in assists per game (13.64) in conference only matches and finished second overall (13.12). The Tigers also led the league in hitting percentage (.270). Pittenger worked with freshman setter Barbara Lopez, who averaged 5.17 assists per set and earned a spot on the CAA All-Rookie team.

Prior to joining the Tigers staff, Pittenger had a highly successful career at Fairfield. She led the Stags to 113-77 record in her six years at the helm and is the all-time winningest coach in program history. The two-time MAAC Coach of the Year led the Stags to back-to-back MAAC titles and appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2012 and 2013). Fairfield captured four MAAC regular season titles under Pittenger's watch.

Prior to her time at Fairfield, Pittenger served as an assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh for five seasons. There she helped the Panthers appear in two NCAA Tournaments and coached three players to All-Big East honors. She also guided the Big East Libero of the Year.

Pittenger started her coaching career at Southern Indiana where she helped the Screaming Eagles to a conference title and a berth in the NCAA Division II tournament.