Skania Valencia joined the Siena Softball coaching staff in September 2022. A former collegiate head coach, Valencia brings valuable experience to the 2022 MAAC runner-up. She also serves as Siena's Fall Intramural Coordinator, assisting with the college's intramural sports programs.
“Skania is a welcome addition to my staff,” head coach Casey Bump said upon Valencia's appointment. “Not only does she bring collegiate playing and coaching experience, she holds college head coaching experience. She not only understands the game, but also recognizes the off-field responsibilities associated with coaching at the collegiate level. We look forward to her leadership and contributions to the growth of Siena Softball.”
During her first season with the program, Valencia helped Siena's upward trend continue into the 2023 season, with the Saints posting the best start in program history (6-0) en-route to matching the program wins record with its second straight 30-win season for the third time ever. The team set the single-season stolen base record in just 37 games and strung together a program record 30.1 straight shutout innings over a program record four straight shutouts from March 29 - April 3. Three MAAC postseason selections culminated in graduate student Ava Fitzmaurice becoming the program's first-ever NFCA First Team All-Region selection.
Valencia came to Loudonville after serving one season as the Head Softball Coach at NCAA Division III Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts during the 2021-22 season. She led the Owls to an 18-19 overall record and a 10-4 mark in conference play, with five players earning All-Conference honors. Westfield State ended the season by winning 15 of its final 20 regular season games and hosting a first-round playoff contest.
Prior to her time as a collegiate head coach, Valencia spent three years as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York, from 2019-21, serving as the hitting and outfield coach. Mercy College advanced to the East Coast Conference Semifinals during her final year on the coaching staff.
A native of Chula Vista, California, Valencia began her collegiate playing career at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista before transferring to Mercy for two seasons. A First Team All-East Region and First Team All-ECC selection during her junior season, she earned Second Team All-East Region and Second Team All-ECC honors during her senior season, while recording 59 hits and 48 RBI and setting the program’s single-season record in the latter.
Valencia earned a B.S. in Business Administration and Sport Management from Mercy in 2018, and received her MBA in Finance from Mercy in 2021.
Away from the softball field, Valencia coached at the San Diego Padres Summer Youth Camp, held roles with Integrated Sports Media, and worked in ticket sales and concessions with the Vermont Lake Monsters minor league baseball team.
