Former Michigan Tech assistant coach Cindy Pindral looks on during a match at the SDC Gym in Houghton. Pindral is returning to the Huskies as the eighth head coach in program history. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

HOUGHTON — Michigan Tech Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Suzanne Sanregret named Cindy Pindral the eighth head coach of the volleyball program on Monday. Pindral returns to the Huskies after being an assistant head coach, assistant coach, and volunteer coach with the Huskies for seven seasons from 2016 to 2022.

“Cindy was an integral part of the successes our volleyball team has had in recent years,” Sanregret said. “Her extensive experience, both as a player and coach at the collegiate and club levels, brings tremendous value to Michigan Tech. We’re thrilled to welcome her back, knowing her expertise and dedication will greatly benefit our student-athletes and their growth on and off the court.”

“It is an absolute honor to be the next head volleyball coach for this inspiring program,” Pindral said. “I am so excited to be back with the team and really looking forward to diving head-first into spring practices and getting on the recruiting trail.

“I would like to thank Dr. Suzanne Sanregret for trusting me with this incredible group of athletes and Matt Jennings for being a mentor and friend during our time together on the sidelines. This decision to return is a no-brainer, and I am so grateful to continue to represent the Huskies.”

During her seven years with the Huskies, the team held a 139-62 overall record. Tech went to four straight NCAA Tournaments from 2017-21 and won a pair of regular-season GLIAC championships in the spring of 2021 and then repeated in the fall of 2021. The 2017 Huskies earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time for the program since 2009. The 2019 squad swept Missouri-St. Louis in the first round of the tournament for the first NCAA win since 1995. The 2021 team also advanced to the NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinal after a five-set victory over Wayne State.

Pindral was involved with nearly all phases of the program, including skill development, recruiting, scouting, practice planning, film breakdown, and team travel. She also served as the lead coach for the Huskies’ youth programs, including the Little Huskies Volleyball Club, All-Skills Camps, and position-specific clinics.

As a freshman, Pindral was the starting setter at the University of Florida during the 2008-09 season. She led the team in assists and the Gators to the NCAA Sweet 16 appearance, an SEC championship, and a No. 10 national ranking. The Gators finished 27-4 overall and 18-2 in the SEC.

Pindral then transferred to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and was a three-year starter. She was named the Student-Athlete of the Year for the 2009-10 season and a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2011. Pindral was also named to the 2011 Capital One Division II Academic All-District VII Volleyball Team, leading the Mountain Lions’ offense with an average of 9.76 assists per set. She graduated with the sixth-highest assist total (2,151) in school history and the second-highest since the advent of rally scoring and the 25-point set. Her 976 assists in 2011 and 943 assists in 2009 are the two highest assist totals in the 25-point era. She earned a third-team all-RMAC selection in 2011, a second-team selection in 2009, and was named RMAC Setter of the Week twice during her career.

Pindral played the 2012 winter season professionally in the Italian Serie C League as the starting setter for Gio Volley in Aprilia, Italy. She was named to the All-Tournament Team and earned the “Best Setter” award at the Gio Volley Tournament that season.

Pindral was inducted into the Pine Creek High School (Colorado Springs, CO) Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018 as a member of the inaugural class. She was a 2007 PrepVolleyball.com honorable mention All-American and was one of 50 finalists for Andi Collins Award for the nation’s best senior setter in 2007. She received Class 5A first-team all-state honors from the Denver Post in 2006 and 2007 and first-team all-state accolades from the Rocky Mountain News in 2007. She was also named to both the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News All-Colorado teams as a senior. Her teams won three district titles, a regional championship, two regional runner-up finishes, and the 2006 Metro League crown. She also led Pine Creek to a berth in the Colorado 4A state tournament in 2005, and the 5A state competition in 2006 and 2007.

Pindral holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies from UCCS and a Master of Science in Energy and Environmental Policy with a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability from Michigan Tech. She has been employed as the Department Administrator for Social Sciences at Tech and was also the Manager of Sustainability Projects and Outreach.

Pindral began her coaching career with Colorado Juniors Volleyball Club where she was a head coach, assistant coach, and the club’s lead setting coach over three seasons. Most recently, she has also been involved with Keweenaw Volleyball Club as an administrator and coach. She has also worked camps at the University of Texas, the United States Air Force Academy, and UCCS. She is an active member of USA Volleyball, American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), and is IMPACT Certified.