Photo By Capt. Amber Kelly-Herard | U.S. Army Sgt. Angelique Cisneros and Dina Frietze, both Ramstein Lady Rams, practice at the Southside Fitness Center, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 22, 2026. The Ramstein Lady Rams are the first women’s team from Europe to play in the 2026 Military Basketball Association Championship Games, May 1-3, 2026, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Amber R. Kelly-Herard) see less
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Ramstein Lady Rams take flight for historic MBA Championship debut
The Ramstein Lady Rams are heading to the 2026 Military Basketball Association Championship Games, May 1-3, at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is the first time a women’s team from Europe will play in the tournament.
The team is composed of women from the Kaiserslautern Military Community and is coached by U.S. Air Force Capt. Pedro Malachi, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing strategic plans director.
“The No. 1 reason I’m excited is this really highlights the importance of women’s sports,” said Malachi, who’s been coaching since 1996. “This gives the Lady Rams a platform to show what they’ve been doing, even when they didn’t think it was possible.”
Malachi explained last year they didn’t have enough participants, and this year started the same way.
“I said give me the program, I’ll take care of it, and now we have around 20 ladies consistently showing up to play,” he said.
Since then, the RLR won three tournaments securing their entrance to the MBA Championships.
“The benefit of a women’s team is it gives female athletes a voice or platform,” said Malachi. “It gives them the opportunity to still have sports and do what they love, even when they’re wearing the uniform.”
The championship weekend is not solely focused on basketball, the event also emphasizes mental health awareness and suicide prevention. The RLR can attest how the team supports their overall wellbeing.
“This is a good place to have positive energy when there is negative energy around the world,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Disa Brown, 86th Communication Squadron and RLR point guard. “It’s a moment to have fun and do what I love.”
“This is my outlet when I’m sad or missing family,” added U.S. Army Sgt. Makayla Murray, U.S. Transportation Command Patient Movements Requirement Center-East and RLR captain. “I’ve been overseas for five years, so basketball is my family,”
Being part of the Ramstein Lady Rams has benefits that extend beyond the court.
“We meet different people from different branches, as well as spouses,” said Brown. “I’ve made good connections, so I know who to contact when I need assistance.”
Murray added that the team helps her with physical training, as running is heavily incorporated into their practices.
“It also helps me with my speech skills,” Murray continued. “Since I know a lot about ball, I took a leadership role, and I help when the coach is absent.”
The Ramstein Lady Rams are putting in the work to ensure they are ready to represent Europe this weekend.
“I feel we’re prepared,” said Malachi. “One element we can’t prepare for is the time zone and elevation. Acclimatization is something our team will get through, but we have the skills and athleticism to succeed as a team.”
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