Bridget Bielich was named head coach of Point Park University’s women’s volleyball team last Wednesday.

Bielich started coaching at Point Park in 2015 when she was hired as the team’s assistant coach. She became the interim head coach in Nov. 2017.

“I am extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity for sure,” Bielich said. “I am excited to continue to work with the group of young ladies we have at Point Park.”

Bielich’s volleyball experience is rooted deep in her history.

The four-year letterman of Bethel Park High School played from 2004-2008 for the Black Hawks. Bielich also earned All-State and All-WPIAL honors.

She went on to play volleyball at California University (Cal U) of Pennsylvania where she was a four-year starter. She helped lead the team to three PSAC championships and appeared in the NCAA Division II Elite 8. Bielich earned two all-conference honors and was named to the AVCA All-Region First Team.

Although Bielich redshirted in 2010 due to medical reasons, she racked up 980 kills during her time with the Vulcans and holds the second all-time hitting percentage.

As an athlete with a love for the game, it makes sense that Bielich received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sports management.

“I knew I always wanted to coach and be involved in the athletic world,” Bielich said.

Bielich’s coaching career started eight years ago with Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Club while playing at Cal U. After four years, Bielich moved to Southwest PA Volleyball Club where she worked as the assistant director and a coach for three years.

Currently, Bielich serves as the Director of Volleyball and the head coach for the 17s Platinum team for P3R Volleyball Club, a top club in the area.

Now, Bielich has Head Coach of Point Park women’s volleyball to add to her resume.

“I think after the seasons we have spent with her, she is a great fit to coach us and represent the university well,” libero Morgan Dangelo said.

Bielich expressed her understanding that the recruiting aspect, practice plans and game strategies now fall on her; but she is looking forward to the decision making that she did not experience as assistant coach, according to Bielich.

Captain Ashley Taylor is confident that Bielich will handle the transition well.

“I think she’s going to kill it,” Taylor said. “You could always see the passion she still has for the game, let alone the coach aspect of it. So I think she will keep the love for the game in all of us while also guiding us and bettering our skills to make us great.”

Taylor proclaimed her excitement to play under Bielich during her last season.

“Even though the unfortunate situation that occurred for her to the interim coach in November, I knew she was already prepared to be a head coach,” Taylor said. “She just has so much knowledge and skill for the game of volleyball that it’s such an inspiration to me to watch her coach.”