LOUDONVILLE — The Siena women’s basketball program will begin a new era this afternoon.

Just five weeks after longtime coach Gina Castelli and the school parted ways, Siena is set to announce the hiring of Ali Jaques as the eighth women’s coach in program history, this afternoon.

Jaques leaves Northwestern, where she was the associate head coach. The New Jersey native has also made coaching stops at Rider, Sacred Heart, Furman, Dayton and George Washington.

At Dayton, she assisted under former Siena coach Jim Jabir (1987-90), who was the coach that preceded Castelli in Loudonville.

Jaques played Division III basketball at New York University and was part of the 1997 national championship team.

Castelli had just finished her 22nd season at the helm, leading the Saints to a 12-17 record, but making it to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference semifinals, before losing to Fairfield. On March 8, it was announced that the school and Castelli had agreed to move in a new direction. 

Castelli finished her career with a 336-296 record, won one MAAC tournament title (2001) and was named MAAC coach of the year five times.

Athletic Director John D’Argenio will meet with the media today to discuss the hiring of Jaques.