Loyola Volleyball Adds Rising Coach Sami Kircher to Staff

The Loyola Maryland volleyball program has added another young coach with a strong player-development background, announcing that Sami Kircher has joined Head Coach Alija Pittenger’s staff as an assistant coach ahead of the 2026 season. The move continues the Greyhounds’ efforts to strengthen a program looking to climb the Patriot League standings under Pittenger’s leadership.

Kircher arrives in Baltimore after serving as a graduate assistant at Hood College, where she helped engineer one of the Blazers’ best recent seasons. Hood reached the Middle Atlantic Commonwealth Conference Tournament for the first time in a decade, while Kircher worked extensively with the team’s defense and back-row players. Under her guidance, Ann Ofoegbu earned All-MAC Commonwealth Second Team honors, highlighting Kircher’s ability to develop talent early in her coaching career.

Before entering coaching, Kircher enjoyed an outstanding playing career at Ferrum College. A four-year letterwinner from 2021-25, she proved to be one of the Panthers’ most versatile athletes by contributing in every phase of the game.

Her collegiate career included:

• 775 career digs
• 313 kills
• 101 service aces

Kircher was also recognized for her leadership and sportsmanship, earning a place on the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Team following her senior season.

The addition gives Pittenger another energetic recruiter and teacher as Loyola prepares for the upcoming campaign. Kircher’s experience as both a defensive specialist and all-around player should provide valuable insight for the Greyhounds’ back-row development while also assisting with recruiting throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Loyola has emphasized building a strong coaching staff over the past two offseasons, and Kircher’s hiring reflects the program’s commitment to player development. Her combination of recent collegiate playing experience and immediate coaching success makes her a promising addition as the Greyhounds continue preparations for the 2026 season.

MSB Take

Assistant coaching hires rarely generate headlines, but they often have a significant long-term impact. Kircher brings recent playing experience, proven defensive coaching ability, and recruiting potential to a Loyola program looking to take another step forward in the Patriot League. If she can help elevate the Greyhounds’ defensive consistency while strengthening recruiting, this could prove to be one of the program’s more important offseason additions.