Former Southern Miss golfer Marella Canepa enters her first season as a graduate assistant coach with the women's golf team, joining her former Head Coach Julie Gallup.

Canepa was a member of the Southern Miss golf team from 1998-2001. In her four years, she became the only Southern Miss women's golfer to twice be named All-Conference USA. She was a three-time individual runner-up, while helping the Lady Eagles to four team titles.

Since graduating in 2001, Canepa was a Marketing Analyst for Repso YPF from 2002-06, and then a Marketing Manager for Clear Channel Outdoor until 2008, both in her hometown of Lima, Peru.

Canepa is married to Victor F. Baracco of Lima, Peru.