D.C. Divas Warm-Up For 14th Season

D.C.'s pro women's tackle football team is gearing up for its 14th season -- and one thing is on the mind of the Divas: the championship. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

The team meets for practice at University of Maryland's Cole Field House. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

The Divas dress in full pads to get ready for the season. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

The team meets for practice at University of Maryland's Cole Field House. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

The team meets for practice at University of Maryland's Cole Field House. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

D.C.'s pro women's tackle football team is gearing up for its 14th season -- and one thing is on the mind of the Divas: the championship. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

D.C.'s pro women's tackle football team is gearing up for its 14th season -- and one thing is on the mind of the Divas: the championship. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

D.C.'s pro women's tackle football team is gearing up for its 14th season -- and one thing is on the mind of the Divas: the championship. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

The team possesses several division titles, but eight years without a championship has only made these players hungrier. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

"The passion, the drive, our coaching staff, we've got that fire in us -- especially this season. We're ready," says Raina Rorie, who plays safety for the Divas. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

"We're off to a great start, we have a lot of rookies, so that's exciting, and a good core of vets," says D.C. Divas head coach Alison Fischer. "And we're looking forward to the schedule we have, which is probably one of the toughest in the league, and playing our best football." (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

The Divas meet for their first full-pad practice of the season. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

The Divas meet for their first full-pad practice of the season. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

D.C.'s pro women's tackle football team is gearing up for its 14th season -- and one thing is on the mind of the Divas: the championship. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

Ask any player or coach who the biggest rival is and you'll get one answer: The Boston Militia. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

In 2006, the Divas took home the title of "champs" in the National Women's Football Association, after beating Oklahoma City Lightening 28-7. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

Going into this season, the D.C. Divas are after one thing: the championship. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

When it's game time, the Divas take to the field at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Md., where they typically play in front of a few thousand fans. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

Now, the Divas play in the Women's Football Alliance with 62 other teams. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

In 2000, there were two benchmark professional women's tackle teams in the National Women's Football Association: the Alabama Renegades and the Nashville Dream. The D.C. Divas joined the league in 2001. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

Defensive line coach Sonarak Leng says the fact that so many women show up for the team, despite scheduling conflicts and lack of compensation illustrates, the players' dedication to the sport. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

Another difference from men's professional football is that these women aren't technically paid. In fact, many pay to play. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

In addition to attending practice a few times a week and traveling to games, all of the team's players maintain at least one job. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

D.C. Divas General Manager Rich Daniel explains the Divas have about 12 coaches on staff, "much like an NFL or college staff where you want to have a position coach for each of the positions, as well as coordinators." (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

It's the team's first full-padded practice of the season, which officially begins April 5. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

For many fans, the traditional football season ended a few weeks ago when the Seahawks beat the Broncos in the Super Bowl. But the D.C. Divas' football season is just beginning. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)

WTOP/Rachel Nania

D.C.'s pro women's tackle football team is gearing up for its 14th season -- and one thing is on the mind of the Divas: A championship. (Courtesy Doug Charland/D.C. Divas)

Courtesy Doug Charland/D.C. Divas