Former Sacramento State gymnastics standout Melissa Genovese was named the team's head coach on June 5, 2023. Genovese had previously served as an assistant coach from August of 2015 through the 2023 season.She was elevated to the role of associate head coach prior to the 2019 season.
In her first season as head coach, Genovese was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year. The year was highlighted by a team score of 196.825 against Air Force to set the program record, and at the time, ranked second in the MPSF record book. That night, the team also set the school record on floor (MPSF No. 6 all-time 49.425), and recorded the second-best score on bars (49.300, MPSF No. 8 all-time) and third-best beam score (49.225, MPSF No. 11 all-time) in Sacramento State history. Individually, Genovese coached Sarah Lutrel on beam where matched the program and conference beam record of 9.950, a mark which Genovese as well as current assistant coach
Amber Koeth each achieved. Overall, four gymnasts combined to earn seven all-MPSF honors, including Lutrel who was named first team in the all-around and on beam and second team on vault. She also qualified for the NCAA Berkeley Regional as an event specialist on bars.
Genovese began her Sacramento State career as a student-athlete from 2005-08. During that span, she was part of three conference championship teams and qualified for an NCAA regional all four years. As a senior, Genovese set the Sacramento State record with a 9.950 on beam in her final home routine — a score which was not matched until this season. She also is tied for third place with a 9.925 and has four 9.900s to tie for ninth.
She holds the school record for single-season and career national qualifying score (NQS) marks on beam, ranks among the top five in program history for NQS all-around and is in the top 10 for all-around average. Her sixth-place finish in the all-around at an NCAA regional is tied for the highest placement in school history. Genovese also earned the highest national ranking in any event as she was ranked sixth on beam as a senior before ending the year ranked ninth in the event.
Genovese has served as the team's beam coach throughout her tenure, resulting in five of the 10 best scores in program history. In 2023, the team had a high of 49.225 on beam in a three-team meet at San Jose State which ranks as the third best mark in the Sacramento State record book.
Individually, she has coached five athletes to an NCAA regional appearance as a beam specialist and has has seen her gymnasts score 9.9 or better on beam 15 times. In 2023,
Amber Koeth was named the MPSF Specialist of the Week and tied Genovese's school record with a 9.950 on beam in her final performance at The Nest.
During her first season on the staff (2016), Genovese coached Kalliah McCartney and Lauren Rice to MPSF titles as each scored 9.850. In 2017, Caitlin Soliwoda earned all-MPSF honors after placing third on beam with a 9.900 at the conference championships. Caitlin Soliwoda and Rice each advanced to the NCAA Seattle Regional as all-arounders and were joined by Courtney Soliwoda who was a beam specialist.
In 2018, Sacramento State tied its 10th best beam score with a 49.025 against San Jose State and Seattle Pacific after the team counted five scores between 9.725 and 9.875. Following the year, Annie Juarez and Caitlin Soliwoda qualified for the NCAA Salt Lake Regional as all-arounders and Courtney Soliwoda returned as a beam specialist. Juarez had never competed on beam prior to 2018 and finished the season with an RQS of 9.785 and a high score of 9.875. Courtney Soliwoda wrapped up the year with an NQS of 9.835 which ranked fourth in school history behind only Genovese (2007-08) and McCartney (2013).
In 2020 and 2022 (Sacramento State did not compete in 2021), Genovese coached Amber Koeth to a pair of school top 10 NQS marks on beam. Koeth was a first team all-MPSF selection in the event both years and competed at the NCAA Seattle Regional in 2022. That season, she had an NQS of 9.880 which ranked second in school history.
As a senior, Genovese set the Sacramento State record with a 9.950 on beam in her final home routine — a score which remains the best in Hornet history. She also is tied for second place with a 9.925 and has four 9.900s to tie for sixth.
Genovese was one of seven gymnasts named to the Sacramento State All-Decade Team for 2001-10.
Prior to coming to campus, she had a decorated youth career where she was the 2002 Junior Olympic national champion, the 2002 US Challenge all-around champion and was an Elite National qualifier in 2002 and 2003.
After graduating from Sacramento State, Genovese moved to San Diego where she coached at Pacific Coast Gymnastics for seven years. While there, she coached the club's competitive teams ranging from levels 3-10.
