In late June of 2007, Kristen Dickmann arrived at the Naval Academy to start plebe summer. The native of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania quickly made friends and warmed people’s hearts with her infectious smile, joyful love for her sport, and desire to become a Naval pilot.
A member of the Navy volleyball team, Dickmann played as a plebe and youngster in 2007 and 2008. Sadly, her stay at the academy was a short one as she unexpectedly died in Bancroft Hall in the spring of 2008, three weeks after her 19th birthday.
This Friday and Saturday will mark a decade since Navy volleyball began hosting an annual tournament established in Dickmann’s memory.