Gannon University Athletics

Former Villa Maria Academy (Pa.) High School standout Sarah Grab begins her first season as a member of the Gannon women's basketball coaching staff in 2013-14.

Grab most recently spent the last five years as the head girls basketball coach at Corry (Pa.) High School where she turned a program with consecutive losing seasons into one that regularly finished among the region’s top half. The Beavers made a pair of postseason appearances and won the 2010 Fort Myers National Elite Christmas Tournament.

The Erie, Pa., native was a four-year starter at NCAA Division II West Virginia Wesleyan from 2003-07, finishing a stellar collegiate career with 1,688 career points. A team captain, Grab reached the 1,000 career point plateau by her junior season. She was a four-time All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) honoree, including a pair of first-team selections. Grab was an Academic All-American as a senior, before being named the NCAA Woman Athlete of the Year and the West Virginia Wesleyan Senior Woman Student-Athlete of the Year.

“I am thrilled to accept this position as it has been a lifelong goal of mine to coach at the collegiate level,” said Grab upon her hiring. “Gannon University is a wonderful institution that has set itself apart in both academics and athletics. I have no doubt that Coach Brunelli, Coach Whitling and I will work well together in continuing this successful basketball tradition. I’m grateful that Coach Brunelli has given me a chance to showcase my coaching abilities at the next level.”

Grab was named the Erie Times-News Sportswoman of the Year in 2003 after a tremendous career at Villa Maria Academy. She was named District 10 Player of the Year and landed a spot on the All-State second team as a senior. A two-time team captain and all-conference selection, Grab helped Villa Maria advance to consecutive state championship games.

“I am very excited to welcome Sarah into the Gannon Basketball Family,” said Brunelli upon her hiring. “She brings a lot of passion, enthusiasm and love for the game. Sarah came highly recommended from both the local community and the coaching ranks. She brings with her local ties and a good basketball mind. Sarah will mainly work with the guard position, but will be involved with all aspects of the program. I look forward to her joining our program.”

Grab graduated from Villa Maria Academy in 2004, before receiving a scholarship to play basketball at West Virginia Wesleyan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary/Special Education from West Virginia Wesleyan in 2007 and obtained a Masters of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gannon in 2010.

“I have always wanted to coach at the collegiate level and am honored to be given this opportunity,” noted Grab. “With Erie being my hometown, I cannot think of a better place to start my collegiate coaching career. Being a former college student-athlete myself, I know what it takes to be successful and how to win at the next level. Opportunities like this don’t come around very often; therefore I’m going to make the most of it and work as hard as I can. I’m extremely lucky to be able to do what I love every day. I’m looking forward to getting in the gym and preparing for this upcoming season. I’m eager to meet all the student-athletes because I hear nothing but great things about the student-athletes and this program.”