Saia begins her first season as a member of the Gannon coaching staff. In July of 2012, Saia replaced Tiffany Crocker who resigned after two seasons on the Lady Knight bench.
Saia spent the 2011-12 season as the Operations Intern at NCAA Division I University of California Berkeley. Her responsibilities for the Golden Bears included assisting the Director of Operations with team travel, equipment management and budget oversight. She also organized and facilitated film exchange as well as provided recruiting support. Saia was integral in preparation for summer camps in addition to planning and executing team, alumni and booster club events. Cal finished 25-10 last season, advancing to the PAC-10 title game and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“Ashley is a strong addition to our coaching staff,” said Wright upon her hiring. “She played at Bentley where she learned from a Hall of Fame coach in Barbara Stevens. Her work ethic, enthusiasm and experience make her an excellent fit at Gannon University.”
Saia was a three-year letterwinner at Bentley (Mass.), concluding her collegiate playing career after the 2010-11 season. The former guard played in 41 games during that time span, missing the 2007-08 and 2008-09 campaigns due to an injury. She served as a team captain as a junior, senior and graduate student. Bentley advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen during her freshman season and the NCAA Division II Elite Eight during her final campaign, winning 110 games during her collegiate career which featured five consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament appearances.
“I’m excited to be a part of the Gannon women’s basketball program and to work alongside Coach Wright and Coach Folcik,” said Saia upon her hiring. “I’m looking forward to working with our dedicated student-athletes both on and off the floor.”
Coaching has been in the Saia family blood as her uncle is the head men’s basketball coach at California State University San Marcos and her father is the head boy’s basketball coach at Marin Catholic (Calif.) High School. A Novato, Calif, native, Saia graduated from Bentley in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Finance and Accounting. She later earned her master’s degree in Taxation in 2011.
