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Women's NCAA Division III Varsity Sports

Athletics serves as one of the four essential developmental pillars at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). The experiences and lessons that midshipmen gain through competition are instrumental in cultivating their vital leadership skills.

The USMMA Department of Physical Education and Athletics (PE&A) currently sponsors 19 NCAA Division III varsity programs, offering a robust selection of dedicated women's sports.

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A group of five smiling female USMMA basketball players in grey and blue 'Mariners' jerseys stand together on the court with their arms around each other, happily posing for a photo while holding basketballs.

Basketball

USMMA proudly celebrates its Women's Basketball program, an NCAA Division III varsity team that competes in the Skyline Conference. Led by head coach Alexa Shields, the program recently celebrated winning its fourth Skyline title and advancing to the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament during the 2025-26 season.

A female USMMA cross country athlete wearing a blue jersey and race bib number 95 runs steadily through an outdoor course surrounded by tall, sunlit grass.

Cross Country

As a competitive NCAA Division III varsity program, the USMMA Women's Cross Country team allows midshipmen to hone their vital leadership skills while training on the campus's surfaced quarter-mile track. Coached by Kayla Koelbel, the team competes in the Skyline Conference and the NCAA DIII Metro Region.

A female soccer player in a white and blue uniform dribbles a soccer ball down a green turf field during a match. She is guarded closely by an opposing player in blue on the left, while teammates in colorful pinnies watch from the sidelines.

Soccer

As a proud NCAA Division III varsity program, the Women's Soccer team competes on the campus's dedicated Tomb Field and Bartoszek Field. Under the guidance of head coach Carlos Mendes, the team competes within the Skyline Conference, having recently reached the Skyline Semifinals in 2025.

A focused female USMMA lacrosse goalie wearing a helmet and a white jersey with the number twenty crouches low, using her stick's net to block a yellow ball right in front of the goal.

Lacrosse

The Women's Lacrosse team exemplifies the Academy's athletic developmental pillar, allowing female midshipmen to build essential leadership skills while competing on dedicated campus sports fields. As a member of the Skyline Conference, the team has recently enjoyed dominant stretches, including a six-game win streak during the 2026 season.

A female USMMA athlete wearing goggles and a white team swim cap powers through the water using the butterfly stroke in a competition pool, creating a large splash.

Swimming & Diving

Competing in O'Hara Hall's indoor Sue Petersen Lubow Pool, the Women's Swimming and Diving team boasts a massive legacy of excellence. Led by head coach Sean Tedesco, the program captured its 12th overall Skyline Conference Championship and ninth consecutive title in 2026.

A female USMMA track athlete in a blue uniform leaps gracefully over a hurdle on a red track during a race, with competitors from other schools running closely behind her.

Track & Field 

(Both Indoor and Outdoor)

The Women's Track and Field team trains on the campus's surfaced quarter-mile track and celebrates a proud legacy of excellence. Overseen by head coach Kayla Koelbel, the team competes in regional events such as the Skyline Championship Meet and the NCAA DIII Outdoor National Championships.

A female USMMA volleyball player wearing a blue jersey with the number three focuses intently, bringing her arms together to bump the ball during a match in front of blue gymnasium bleachers.

Volleyball

The Women's Volleyball team boasts a proud legacy of athletic excellence, highlighted by the Hall of Fame inductions of standout athletes. Led by head coach Tony Nocera, the team competes in the Skyline Conference, frequently producing All-Skyline team selections and reaching the Skyline Semifinals in 2025.

D3 Week Spotlight

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) caught up with women's basketball captain Tichina Carmon '18 and volleyball captain Kate Lefler '19 to get their thoughts on competing on the Division III Level.

Tichina Carmon

Class of 2018 | Basketball

Kate Lefler

Class of 2019 | Volleyball

Hall of Fame

The USMMA Hall of Fame proudly celebrates the athletic excellence and lasting legacy of its female inductees, honoring remarkable competitors across various sports, from early trailblazers like Leslie M. (Custer) Grimm and Anna (Maly) Stewart to recent honorees like Rebecca (Grimes) Link and the entire 1999 Women's Volleyball Team.

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Last updated: Monday, April 27, 2026

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