Six Mount St. Mary’s Women’s Rugby Student-Athletes Earn NIRA All-Academic Honors

Success at Mount St. Mary’s isn’t measured solely by wins on the rugby pitch. It’s also defined by excellence in the classroom, and six Mountaineers proved that during the 2025-26 academic year.

Mount St. Mary’s announced that six members of its women’s rugby program have been named to the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) All-Academic Team, an honor recognizing student-athletes who have maintained a cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher while competing at one of the nation’s top collegiate rugby levels.

The recognition comes following another competitive season for the Mount, which finished 10-7-1 while continuing to establish itself as one of the premier rugby programs in the region.

The six student-athletes recognized were:

• Seniors: Caliann Dietz, Alexis Jones, Riley Sibilia and Sydney Sibilia
• Junior: Nancy Moluh
• Sophomore: Anna Yerofeyev

The awards highlight the program’s commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically.

Caliann Dietz Closes Outstanding Career

Senior Caliann Dietz leaves Mount St. Mary’s as one of the program’s most dependable forwards.

The Hampstead, Maryland native played a critical role in the Mount’s forward pack throughout her career, using her physical style of play to help control possession and create scoring opportunities. During the 2025-26 campaign, Dietz scored three tries, including two against La Salle and another during the team’s 7s season against Dartmouth.

A graduate of Manchester Valley High School, Dietz also brought championship experience to the Mount after helping lead her high school program to Maryland state titles.

Her NIRA All-Academic recognition caps a collegiate career defined by leadership, consistency and academic excellence.

Alexis Jones Rewarded for Dedication

Senior Alexis Jones earned All-Academic honors after serving as one of the team’s veteran leaders throughout the season.

The Waynesboro, Pennsylvania native competed in 12 competition dates during the year and provided valuable depth and experience to the Mount lineup. While her contributions often came away from the spotlight, Jones’ commitment to the program and her success in the classroom exemplified the culture the Mount coaching staff strives to build.

Balancing the demands of collegiate athletics while maintaining elite academic performance is no easy task, making Jones’ accomplishment especially meaningful as she concludes her collegiate career.

Riley Sibilia Makes an Impact On and Off the Pitch

Senior Riley Sibilia combined offensive production with academic excellence to earn one of the team’s six All-Academic selections.

The dynamic back scored three tries during the 2025-26 campaign while adding a conversion, producing key performances against Frostburg State, La Salle and Lindenwood.

Whether competing in traditional 15s matches or during the spring 7s season, Sibilia consistently provided speed, creativity and scoring ability.

Her selection recognizes years of dedication to both rugby and academics, capping an impressive collegiate career.

Sydney Sibilia Continues to Lead by Example

Senior Sydney Sibilia added another accomplishment to an already impressive resume by earning NIRA All-Academic honors.

The hardworking flanker turned in one of her strongest offensive seasons, scoring two tries against West Chester while providing physical defense and relentless effort throughout the year.

Off the field, Sibilia has pursued a degree in Human Services while maintaining the academic standards required for national recognition.

Her ability to excel in both demanding environments reflects the values Mount St. Mary’s athletics strives to instill.

Nancy Moluh Emerging as a Future Leader

Junior Nancy Moluh continues to establish herself as one of the program’s rising leaders.

The Silver Spring native appeared in 11 competition dates during the season, contributing in both 15s and 7s competition while continuing to develop her game.

Receiving NIRA All-Academic recognition at this stage of her career demonstrates the discipline and work ethic that should serve her well as she takes on an even larger role within the program in the seasons ahead.

Anna Yerofeyev Shows Remarkable Perseverance

Sophomore Anna Yerofeyev earned national academic recognition after overcoming adversity during the season.

Limited by injuries for portions of the year, Yerofeyev still returned to compete during the Mount’s 7s campaign, appearing in four competition dates while continuing to excel academically.

Her determination to stay engaged with the program while maintaining outstanding grades reflects the resilience that has become a hallmark of her collegiate career.

With two seasons of eligibility remaining, Yerofeyev appears poised for an even bigger impact moving forward.

Building Champions Beyond the Scoreboard

While wins and championships remain important goals, honors like the NIRA All-Academic Team illustrate another measure of success for Mount St. Mary’s women’s rugby.

Balancing demanding coursework with the physical commitment required to compete in collegiate rugby is no small feat. Maintaining a cumulative GPA above 3.5 while traveling, training and competing speaks to the dedication each of these student-athletes brings every day.

As the Mount continues building one of the nation’s respected rugby programs, these six student-athletes have shown that excellence extends well beyond the scoreboard.

MSB Take

Academic honors often receive less attention than championships, but they deserve to be celebrated just as much. Mount St. Mary’s continues to produce student-athletes who excel in every aspect of college life, and having six women’s rugby players earn NIRA All-Academic recognition reinforces the culture being built in Emmitsburg. Success in the classroom creates success long after the final whistle, making this one of the program’s most meaningful achievements of the year.