CASTINE, Maine – Heather Benson was introduced as Maine Maritime Academy's new volleyball coach by Director of Athletics Steve Peed on Wednesday, June 26. Benson brings 11 seasons of coaching experience on both the high school and collegiate level to Smith Gym. She will begin her tenure at Maine Maritime on July 10.

"From the first time I saw Mariners volleyball in action, the culture of enthusiasm and determination of this program was clear," said Benson. "It's an honor to join the staff of Maine Maritime Academy where I hope to support the development of incredible humans and outstanding student-athletes."

On the collegiate level, Benson served as assistant coach at Bryn Mawr College in 2022 after serving as an assistant coach at Susquehanna University in 2021. With Benson's assistance, Susquehanna went 24-7 in 2021 and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. That edition of the River Hawks went 2-1 in NCAA tournament play in 2021, defeating Maine Maritime in the opening round and earning a 3-1 win over 25^th-ranked Bowdoin before falling to MIT in the Sweet 16.

From 2012-19, Benson served as a girl's volleyball coach at Freedom High School in South Riding, Virginia. As the head coach in 2018, Benson's team made an unprecedented run to the state semifinal match. She went on to be named LoCo Sports Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2018 as well as Region 5A Coach of the Year. Four players from the 2018 team went on to play collegiate volleyball, including three at the Division I level.

"I am excited and grateful to be part of bringing Coach Benson to MMA & Mariners Volleyball, said Associate Director of Athletics and outgoing Volleyball Coach, Tricia Carver.  "Though I will miss so much about coaching this incredible program, I know Coach Benson's enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and experience represent the strong leadership we value in both our volleyball program and Athletics department. It's going to be an exciting Fall in Smith Gym, and I look forward to watching the program continue to grow and succeed." 

Benson has served as a secondary science teacher for Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia since 2011. She was a member of the LCPS Curriculum Development Committee for Earth Science and developed the first LCPS Science Symposium with over 20 local professional reviewers. She taught a dual-enrollment GIS course with faculty at James Madison University. Benson spent four years as the Manager of Science Outreach for Research!America and was the Program Director for the HOBY Leadership Conference. She taught conversational, American English to high school students at Lycée Chanzy in Charleville-Mézières, France.

"Coach Benson embodies the adventurous spirit that is engrained in Maine Maritime's students," said Peed. "Her resume is almost custom-built for our STEM and Leadership institution. She is an empathetic and supportive leader that fits the mold of our department and I look forward to our volleyball program's growth and success under her direction."

Benson earned a master's in public communication from American University in 2007. She received undergraduate degrees in general science, musical theater and French from the University of South Carolina in 2005. As an undergraduate, she served as president and coach of the University of South Carolina women's club volleyball team.

She takes over the program from Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, Tricia Carver. Carver has guided the program since the 2013 season, posting a 201-88 record in her 11 seasons. The Mariners appeared in the North Atlantic Conference championship finals in every season competed under her leadership, winning six NAC Championships. Carver's Mariners produced five NAC Senior Scholar Athletes of the Year, seven NAC Players of the Year, eight NAC Rookies of the Year, and three NAC Defensive Players of the Year. Rachael Melampy was named an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American in 2022. Carver was a four-time NAC Coach of the Year and the 2016 ECAC New England Coach of the Year.

Carver will remain in the department in her administrative capacity with an emphasis on student success and development as well as compliance.

"This is another waypoint in the evolution of our department," said Peed. "Tricia's leadership has been instrumental in achieving and sustaining our successes in our department. With a narrowed portfolio, we will be better positioned to serve all the students and staff in our expanded department."

Maine Maritime athletics is enjoying an unprecedented era of success. The Mariners have averaged a collective term and cumulative grade point average above 3.0 for 16-consecutive semesters with over half of the athletes on the Dean's List in 15 of those semesters. Maine Maritime has won three or more conference championships every year since returning to full competition in the 2021-2022 academic year including four championships in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. In the last decade, Maine Maritime has expanded its roster of sports to include women's lacrosse (2014-2015), men's and women's swimming (2018-2019), and men's and women's wrestling (2023-2024). Football, which was sidelined during the pandemic is on its journey towards its return to full varsity status in 2025.