Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus #1 Stanford on December 5, 2025 , Loss , 0, to, 1
/
Final
Women's Soccer
0
vs #1 Stanford
1
.png&width=24&height=24&type=webp)
Duke Women's Soccer Q&A: Dieynaba Ndaw
7/29/2021 4:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM – As the Duke women's soccer team continues preparation for the 2021 season, GoDuke.com caught up with freshman Dieynaba Ndaw.
Ndaw enrolled at Duke in January and while not eligible to compete during the spring campaign, she spent the five months training with the team to gain experience ahead of her first official year in the program. The 5-6 defender who goes by 'JJ' originally traveled to the U.S. from Dakar, Senegal, and attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. She competed with the IMG U-19 Girls Academy team in 2020, starting eight matches and notching 11 goals with five assists. A four-year member of the National Honor Society, Ndaw was awarded the Girls Program Core Value Award and Open Mind Award at IMG.
Q: How did you enjoy the experience of being around the team during the spring 2021 season?
A: I would say the team made it super easy for me. Everyone was so welcoming and I think the transition was extremely smooth. I've been used to living away from home – I've been away from home since I was 13, so I think that part of it wasn't too difficult. But like I said, everyone was super welcoming and made the transition easy.
Q: Were you nervous when joining the team in the middle of the 2020-21 season?
A: I was extremely nervous – I'm not going to lie about that. I would say that this team does have something extremely special and they make everyone feel valued. Even though I wasn't eligible to play in the spring, I think that everyone made sure that I felt comfortable with everyone and that I knew that I played a significant role just like everybody else. Everybody feels valued on the team.
Q: Was there anything that surprised you about Duke?
A: I think I expected everything. I've been committed for more than two years, so I think I've had some time to know a bit about what I was getting into. I would say that the environment is extremely healthy despite the competitiveness and the intensity.
Q: How much do you feel your experience with the team in the spring has helped you in preparing for this season?
A: I think that for me personally, coming in the spring and coming early was extremely beneficial, mainly for my confidence. Just being around such quality players and practicing with them every single day. I was lucky enough to attend every single game in the spring and even the NCAA Tournament, so I was introduced to those type of games. I think that it makes me feel a lot more comfortable, confident and more prepared.
Q: Have you taken on a leadership role within the freshman class?
A: They do come to me to show them around, or the simple stuff – I'm always happy to help because the freshmen last year were helping me and I think it's kind of the same thing. I definitely think that I do have a little bit of responsibility just to show them around and things like that. But outside of that, I'm sure they all feel super comfortable.
Q: What are you most excited for going into this season?
A: Obviously, we lost such quality and experienced players, but that comes with college sports. I'm just excited to see how other players will step up and take on these responsibilities. I'm excited to have a really successful season. I think that we have so much talent and I think we have everything we need to have a successful season.
For more information on Duke women's soccer, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC."
#GoDuke
Ndaw enrolled at Duke in January and while not eligible to compete during the spring campaign, she spent the five months training with the team to gain experience ahead of her first official year in the program. The 5-6 defender who goes by 'JJ' originally traveled to the U.S. from Dakar, Senegal, and attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. She competed with the IMG U-19 Girls Academy team in 2020, starting eight matches and notching 11 goals with five assists. A four-year member of the National Honor Society, Ndaw was awarded the Girls Program Core Value Award and Open Mind Award at IMG.
Q: How did you enjoy the experience of being around the team during the spring 2021 season?
A: I would say the team made it super easy for me. Everyone was so welcoming and I think the transition was extremely smooth. I've been used to living away from home – I've been away from home since I was 13, so I think that part of it wasn't too difficult. But like I said, everyone was super welcoming and made the transition easy.
Q: Were you nervous when joining the team in the middle of the 2020-21 season?
A: I was extremely nervous – I'm not going to lie about that. I would say that this team does have something extremely special and they make everyone feel valued. Even though I wasn't eligible to play in the spring, I think that everyone made sure that I felt comfortable with everyone and that I knew that I played a significant role just like everybody else. Everybody feels valued on the team.
Q: Was there anything that surprised you about Duke?
A: I think I expected everything. I've been committed for more than two years, so I think I've had some time to know a bit about what I was getting into. I would say that the environment is extremely healthy despite the competitiveness and the intensity.
Q: How much do you feel your experience with the team in the spring has helped you in preparing for this season?
A: I think that for me personally, coming in the spring and coming early was extremely beneficial, mainly for my confidence. Just being around such quality players and practicing with them every single day. I was lucky enough to attend every single game in the spring and even the NCAA Tournament, so I was introduced to those type of games. I think that it makes me feel a lot more comfortable, confident and more prepared.
Q: Have you taken on a leadership role within the freshman class?
A: They do come to me to show them around, or the simple stuff – I'm always happy to help because the freshmen last year were helping me and I think it's kind of the same thing. I definitely think that I do have a little bit of responsibility just to show them around and things like that. But outside of that, I'm sure they all feel super comfortable.
Q: What are you most excited for going into this season?
A: Obviously, we lost such quality and experienced players, but that comes with college sports. I'm just excited to see how other players will step up and take on these responsibilities. I'm excited to have a really successful season. I think that we have so much talent and I think we have everything we need to have a successful season.
For more information on Duke women's soccer, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWSOC."
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's SoccerKieran Hall, Devin Lynch, Kat Rader Postgame Vs. Stanford
Saturday, December 06
Kieran Hall, Kat Rader, and Carina Lageyre Postgame Vs. Washington
Saturday, November 29
Kieran Hall, Cam Roller, and Kat Rader Postgame Vs. Kansas
Monday, November 24
Kieran Hall, Kat Rader, Mia Minestrella Postgame Vs. Elon
Saturday, November 15
