July 25, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Christy Pfeffenberger has been named assistant volleyball coach at Notre Dame, Irish head coach Debbie Brown announced Monday. Pfeffenberger, an Indianapolis native who spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Xavier and was promoted to associate head coach following the 2010 campaign, led the Musketeers to a 56-36 overall record and a 31-12 mark in Atlantic 10 Conference during her tenure with the program.
“Christy is going to be a wonderful addition to our staff,” Brown said. “She has had great success as a player and coach at the Division I level. She has a strong competitive spirit and will have an immediate positive impact on the atmosphere in the gym. I’m eager to have her work directly with our outside hitters and to influence the defensive mindset of the team. I’m most excited about the fiery personality she has and how it will benefit our players both individually and collectively.”
Pfeffenberger made her mark on every aspect of the Musketeer program, and in 2009 was part of the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s (AVCA) Thirty Under 30, which showcased up-and-coming professionals in volleyball.
“I would like to sincerely thank Christy for her time at Xavier,” said Xavier head coach Mike Johnson. “She was the stabilizing constant as we ushered in an era of change and her calming, reassuring influence was pivotal to our success. We are sad to see her leave but excited for her as she begins a new phase of her career. I believe her prospects to be interminably bright and we all wish her well.”
Pfeffenberger went to Xavier after spending two seasons as an assistant under Joe Bonner at Youngstown State. She worked with all aspects of the team including managing the outside attackers, breaking down film, recruiting, academics, travel plans and several other aspects as well.
Before her time at Youngstown State, Pfeffenberger served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Dayton, under former head coach Tim Horsman. She was a part of the Dayton staff for the 2005 season and helped with recruiting, scouting, academics and practice plans in addition to assisting with summer camps.
Pfeffenberger has also served in several other capacities within the volleyball community as a summer and winter camp coach, individual instructor, certified junior national referee and a Junior Olympic coach.
During her playing days at Dayton, Pfeffenberger garnered several Atlantic 10 and national accolades in addition to participating on two NCAA Tournament teams. She was named the A-10 Player of the Year in 2004 and earned AVCA All-American honors that year as well.
Pfeffenberger was named to the CoSIDA District IV All-American Third Team and also garnered A-10 Academic All-Conference accolades in 2004. She is a 2005 graduate from Dayton with a bachelor’s degree in education.
The former Christy Utnage was married to Nick Pfeffenberger during the summer of 2010.
Pfeffenberger replaces the void in the Irish coaching staff left by Matthew Botsford, who in June was named head coach for the Swedish club team Lindesberg Volley.
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