Beyond the bracket: Lessons behind a historic NCAA run

For the first time in William & Mary’s history, the women’s basketball team punched its ticket to the NCAA tournament, an achievement built on grit, resilience, and a belief that history could be made. But behind the headlines and highlight reels was something equally powerful: a quiet but steady influence from the Raymond A. Mason School of Business.

Seven student-athletes from the business school were part of this historic squad. This piece takes a moment to spotlight just a few of them—many of whom, by sheer coincidence, found themselves cheering from the bench due to injury. But their impact was no less significant. In fact, it may have been even more profound.

Alexa Mikeska BBA ’25, MSBA ‘26, a guard for the team, drew upon lessons she learned at the Mason School as the team prepared for the season. “We are taught to adopt a winning mindset because in the business world, if you’re not marketing effectively or hitting your sales goals, you’re fired. The same thing applies to basketball. If we’re not preparing strategically, mentally, and physically, we’re going to lose games.”

Mikeska, who spent much of the season sidelined, found new ways to lead off the court. “It tested my patience, confidence, and mental health in ways I wasn’t prepared for,” she said. “But I stepped up in other ways, providing feedback, encouraging my teammates, and being a steady voice during tough moments or just trying to pick someone up after a bad day at practice. I truly believe it made me stronger.”

Her teammate, Cassidy Geddes BBA ’25, was also benched by an ankle injury—twice. The second time came just before the conference semifinals.

“That second setback tested me in new ways, but it also prepared me mentally to face adversity head-on. I learned to lean on my teammates, athletic trainer, and coaches for support, and together, we worked to get my ankle healthy enough for me to contribute in the championship game,” she said. “It taught me the value of resilience and the importance of trusting your support system.”

Geddes leaned into structure and presence as she balanced the demands of being a student-athlete. “I found success by being fully present in the moment. When it was time for basketball, I focused entirely on my sport, and during rest periods or off time, I dedicated myself completely to schoolwork. This approach helped me avoid feeling overwhelmed.”

For Kayla Beckwith BBA ’23, MBA ’25, a defensive anchor for the team, the season was both a personal and collective milestone.

“Making history and winning a championship was a goal for our team since last summer,” she explained. “We set a goal early on and kept that at the forefront of our minds. We knew we had the talent, we just needed to execute.”

As a business student, Beckwith says her strategic thinking helped her make better reads on the court, while being organized and detail-oriented kept her grounded through the dual demands of sport and study.

“Understanding our defense and plays or how my teammates move helps me make better reads on the court, just like in the classroom, thoroughly understanding the lesson, material or project will lead to a good grade,” she said.

Beckwith missed eight weeks mid-season with a foot injury, a challenge she admits took a toll.

“It was hard to accept that half of my final season was being taken away from me, so I had to find ways to stay engaged,” she said. “That experience helped me grow mentally as an athlete and individual, not staying stuck in the moment, embracing whatever my current situation is, and finding ways to grow and evolve no matter the circumstances.”

For this crew of injured warriors, leadership was about showing up in any way they could. Sometimes it was vocal encouragement. Sometimes it was a quiet moment after practice. Sometimes it was just being there.

“Since my freshman year, my coaches have consistently challenged me to find my voice and develop into the type of leader I want to be,” said Mikeska. “As a point guard, you’re responsible for setting the tone, making quick decisions, and bringing everything together. That experience has helped shape my leadership style, one that’s centered around clear communication, trust, and composure.”

Bek Frisby-Smith MSBA ’25, took a quieter approach, with small gestures, like writing individualized letters to each teammate before the tournament.

“I’m not always the first to give an inspiring speech,” she admitted. “But I’ve found other ways to lead through consistency, encouragement, and genuine belief in those around me.”

Originally from Australia, Frisby-Smith brought a global perspective and a steady presence to the locker room throughout her senior year. Her academic experience at the Mason School helped her hone her communication and adaptability skills.

“On the basketball team, I saw how different people respond to different types of communication. That insight translated directly into the classroom, where I learned the value of checking in regularly and playing to people’s strengths. Not everyone leads the same way, and that’s okay—what matters is making sure everyone feels seen, valued, and clear on the role they play.”

Frisby-Smith recalls the senior night game against Hofstra as a particularly defining moment of resilience in her collegiate and athletic journey.

“We had high hopes, but we didn’t perform the way we wanted to. It would’ve been easy to let that loss define the end of our season,” she shared. “Instead, we chose to use it as motivation.”

That choice, she says, reflects what she’s learned about leadership from both business and basketball: “Resilience isn’t just about pushing through difficult moments—it’s about how your respond to them. It’s about staying grounded in your goals, lifting up the people around you, and finding strength in adversity when the outcome is uncertain,” she said.

Across the team, business school principals surfaced in big and small ways, from goal setting and time management to adaptability and communication. And in a twist of fate, it was the injured players on the bench who found themselves modeling those traits in action.

“Our team’s turnaround this season was possible because every single person committed to believing in our collective mission,” Geddes said.

Mikesa added, “Every single year will look different, and that’s exactly where the growth happens. The most rewarding part is looking back and realizing how far you’ve come and how much stronger you are because of it.”

While some fought their way back to the court, others passed the baton forward, including Isabella Nascimento, who is still playing at the highest levels of the sport. Nascimento, who graduated in 2025 with a BA in Film & Media Studies and was a management minor, recently achieved a lifelong dream by earning a spot on Brazil’s national team.

Regardless of their setbacks or successes, all of the female players emphasized the same core values of believing in yourself, connecting with others, and staying committed as key factors in their student-athlete journeys.

Their advice for future students pursuing business and basketball? “Your college experience is truly what you make it,” said Beckwith. “Lean into the community, utilize your resources, get to know your professors and connect with as many people as you can, and enjoy your time, it flies by!”

For a team that endured its share of bumps and bruises, they never stopped believing in themselves, in each other, and in the possibility of making school history. And now, with one unforgettable season behind them, the Tribe is stronger than ever.