U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Women's Basketball

Alexa Shields assumed the role of Interim Head Coach of the USMMA women’s basketball team upon the announcement of long-time head coach Matt Dempsey's retirement in October of 2024. In early January 2025, she was officially named the fourth head coach of the Mariners. Shields completed her 17th season on the women’s basketball coaching staff at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 2024-25. She was promoted to Associate Head Coach in May 2019. Shields came to Kings Point after coaching as a graduate assistant coach at Rutgers-Newark. At the Academy, Shields is responsible for recruiting, scouting, film exchange, travel, and Sea Year fitness coordination. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Shields is also an Assistant Professor at the Academy, an aquatics instructor and directs the Leadership Assessment for PE&A. While at Rutgers-Newark some of her responsibilities included recruiting, administrative duties and camp coordinator. She also organized the team’s Tip-Off Tournament and served as a Team Academic Advisor. A three-time All-New Jersey Athletic Conference guard at The College of New Jersey, Shields helped TCNJ to NJAC championships in 2004 and 2006, finishing tied for third in career assists (309) and fifth in steals (196) in school history. She served as team captain as a junior and senior. A four-year letterwinner, she earned first-team All-NJAC honors in 2005 while garnering second unit notice as a sophomore and senior. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from TCNJ in 2006 after four years on the Dean’s List. Two years later, Shields earned a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Rutgers-Newark. Shields and her family moved from Huntington, Indiana, to Wall Township, New Jersey, for her junior and senior years in high school. She captained Wall High School as a junior and senior where she also lettered twice in tennis.

Tamara Kaileh joined the women's basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach ahead of the 2019-20 season.

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy head women's basketball coach Alexa Shields announced that Kristina Sanicola has joined the program as an assistant coach for the Mariners ahead of the 2025-26 season. Sanicola, who officially came on board at KP on August 10, brings a dynamic mix of energy, enthusiasm, and proven experience to the Mariners program, with a successful track record coaching multiple sports at both the high school and collegiate levels. Having been immersed in the game her entire life, she is excited to join the USMMA women’s basketball staff and contribute to the Academy. “I am eager to get to work with the USMMA women’s basketball team,” said Sanicola. “The opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to this program is something I am genuinely excited about, and I look forward to a great season of growth and competition. I am truly grateful to Coach Shields and AD Kristofer Schnatz for welcoming me into the Academy and the USMMA Women’s Basketball family. I’m honored to be part of something so special and can’t wait to get to work!” In the classroom, Sanicola served in full-time roles as a Physical Education and Health Teacher at New Hyde Park Memorial High School. She also served as the Head Fitness and Strength Conditioning Coordinator at Manhasset Secondary High School from 2019 to 2021, where she developed comprehensive fitness plans for student-athletes in grades 9 through 12, addressing the specific demands of each athletic team. Sanicola also designed sport-specific strength and conditioning programs, customizing exercises and intensity to meet the unique needs of each team. As a Division III student-athlete at SUNY Cortland, Sanicola played as a midfielder for the Dragons women’s lacrosse team and as a defender for the women’s soccer program. She was a member of the 2015 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse National Championship team and contributed to consecutive Final Four appearances and SUNYAC Conference Championships. Sanicola, an East Meadow native, was a three-sport varsity athlete at East Meadow High School from her freshman year competing in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. As a four-year varsity member of the East Meadow High School girls’ basketball team, she served as team captain for two seasons. During her tenure with the Jets, she earned Nassau County All-Conference honors and received both the Athletic Achievement Coaches Award and the Unsung Hero Award. “I’m proud to welcome Kristina to the USMMA basketball family as our new assistant coach,” said Shields. “Her passion for the game, infectious positivity, strong work ethic, and commitment to player development aligns perfectly with our mission and values here at Kings Point. We’re excited for the energy and expertise she will bring to our program.” Sanicola earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Kinesiology from SUNY Cortland in 2018. She went on to earn a Master of Arts in Physical Education from Adelphi University in 2023, receiving the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement.