WASHINGTON — It’s unlikely King William III and Queen Mary II ever contemplated filling out a tournament bracket, yet the basketball team representing the school bearing their names now stands proudly in the spotlight. For the first time ever, the women’s basketball team of William & Mary has qualified for the NCAA Tournament. This historic event took place after a nail-biting match where they triumphed over Campbell with a 66-63 victory on Sunday, clinching the Coastal Athletic Association Tournament title.
Located in the charming town of Williamsburg, Virginia, William & Mary’s legacy as an educational institution is extensive, dating back to its founding in 1693. The women’s basketball team has sensed the echoes of history throughout their 105 competitive seasons. By achieving this remarkable win as the No. 9 seed, they’ve become the lowest-seeded team in the conference’s history to secure the title. The significance of this moment is amplified by the fact that it’s their first reach to the tournament final since losing to Old Dominion in 1993.
William & Mary joins an elite group of six teams making their debut in the women’s NCAA Tournament this year, sharing this inaugural milestone with Arkansas State, Fairleigh Dickinson, George Mason, Grand Canyon, and UC San Diego. Meanwhile, four teams — High Point, Omaha, SIU Edwardsville, and UC San Diego — are ready to mark their first presence in the men’s tournament.
Throughout the postgame celebrations, William & Mary’s coach, Erin Dickerson Davis, emphasized the pivotal role of belief in their journey. “We talked about belief since we got here,” she remarked, highlighting the necessity of internal conviction. “You have to believe. Nobody else can believe for you. Everybody in the circle has to believe.”
Entering the expansive 68-team field, William & Mary carries a 15-18 record. Despite facing adversity with seven losses out of their last eight games prior, they rallied magnificently to prevail in four consecutive matches in the CAA Tournament. Bella Nascimento was instrumental in their success, contributing a remarkable 33 points in the championship game.
Reflecting on the victory, Nascimento described the excitement and disbelief in the arena. “This is a surreal moment to everybody in this gym right now,” she stated with emotion. “It’s the first time we made history in a long time.”
