Villanova, Pa. - Head Coach Maria DiBernardi has announced the addition of Stephanie Sanders to the softball coaching staff.

Sanders played collegiately at Michigan State and spent last season as an assistant coach at Saginaw Valley State.

"I am very excited to have Stephanie as a member of our family and staff at Villanova. Steph played in the competitive Big Ten Conference and is used to a very high level of softball which will fit perfectly into the ideals of our training and recruiting," DiBernardi said.

"She was mentored by two great coaches in Jacquie Joseph and JT Gasso, and I'm excited for her to share new ideas she learned as a player at Michigan State that will help us raise the bar for Villanova Softball. She is a very energetic and passionate coach who will work mainly with hitting & outfield and assist with catching. We are very happy to have her solidify our coaching staff."

In her senior season at Michigan State, Sanders batted .288 with 44 hits, 32 RBI, 25 runs, nine home runs and seven doubles.

"I am very excited and blessed for this opportunity to work for such a prestigious university, as well as such a great mentor in Coach DiBernardi," Sanders said.

"There is such a sense of pride in this university that is incomparable. I am grateful for the Wildcat family for welcoming me with open arms. I look forward to being relentless in our journey to a BIG EAST Championship."

A native of Lima, Ohio, Sanders graduated from Michigan State in 2015 with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree.