 UCSC competes in Division III of the NCAA as an Independent member . There are fifteen varsity sports – men 's and women 's basketball , tennis , soccer , volleyball , swimming , cross country and diving , and women 's golf . UCSC teams have been Division III nationally ranked in tennis , soccer , men 's volleyball , and swimming . UCSC maintains a number of successful club sides . It has won multiple national championships in men 's tennis and a women 's Division II championship in club rugby . 
