Family Ties: Sitting Down with the Sisters of the Women's Soccer Team

By Charlotte Tannenbaum, Duke Athletic Communications Student Assistant

DURHAM – Any members of the Duke women's soccer team would agree that the Blue Devils are more than just a team - they are a family. But for four student-athletes in particular, this rings particularly true. This year, the team has two sets of sisters playing together. Maggie Graham, junior, and her sister Delaney, a graduate student,, have spent the past three seasons playing together here at Duke. Jenna Royson, a graduate transfer from Georgetown, also joined the team this year and is using her last year of eligibility to play with her sister Emily, a junior. For both sets of sisters, the experience of having their sibling on the team has been extremely special.

"The best part is always having an outlet: she's family, so whether we're talking about soccer, about school, or about friends, it's different than just having a really close friend," said Maggie. "It's having someone who understands you really well and has grown up with you and can give you great advice."
Emily Royson, Jenna Royson

Unlike the Grahams, who have both played at Duke for their entire undergraduate careers, this is Jenna and Emily's first and only collegiate season together. The Roysons have fully embraced this year as an extra chance to spend time with each other.

"My kids are best friends," says their mom, Malena. "Every time I talk to them, they're together: driving together, doing homework together, having a sleepover together."

The close relationship between each set of sisters has functioned as more than just a great support system. It has also turned out to be a huge advantage on the field. Both the Roysons and the Grahams agree that playing alongside their sister is a totally different experience than when they're with other teammates. Since they know each other so well, communication comes much more naturally.

"We can say anything and know that neither of us is going to take offense or not understand," said Jenna. "We're both on the same page with everything."

The Blue Devil defense, led by Jenna and Emily, has collected 10 shutouts on the season and the tandem have played a combined 3,177 minutes on the year. From the defensive side, the Roysons have collected four assists as well.

Her sister agrees that their connection is different than that with other players.

"I really don't think there's ever a moment on the field when Jenna and I are not talking to each other," said Emily.

For the Grahams, the nonverbal cues that they share have become a key part of their joint success in the past few seasons.

"We kind of have an unspoken connection," said Maggie. "It sounds silly, but I always know what Delaney is going to do, and it normally works out for us."

"We know what's going through each other's heads," said Delaney. "I personally love playing on the same side as Maggie because she knows the kind of runs I'm going to make, and she knows the kind of ball I like to receive, and I know what kind of ball she's good at playing. I try to make the kind of runs that I know will allow her to put that on display."

Now in their third and final season as teammates at Duke, Maggie and Delaney have certainly found their rhythm together on the field.

"They've really settled into their respective roles," says their mom, Marie. "They each know that the other has strengths and weaknesses, and they play to that."

The Graham's have combined to start 37 matches this season and play in 162 matches over their Duke careers. Heading into the NCAA Tournament second round, the duo have combined to score four goals and assist on 11 tallies in 2022.

The girls all consider their sister to be an important factor in sparking improvements in their game.

"We hold each other to really high standards, and we can both be the people to give each other that hard criticism," said Maggie. "Just being able to say, 'Hey this needs to be better, you need to push yourself harder here.' I think we hear it from each other better than from anybody else."

In the same way, the Roysons also make sure to hold each other accountable and focus on doing whatever they can to make sure that the other is playing to the best of her ability.
Delaney Graham, Maggie Graham

"It's all about lifting each other up and believing in each other," said Jenna. "Everything that we do and say to each other speaks to the fact that I know her, and I know what she can do, and I always want her to be her best. If I want her to be playing better, it's only because I know that she can do it."

Certainly, nobody knows what you're capable of quite like a sister. Luckily for both the Grahams and the Roysons, the girls focus on supporting each other rather than petty sibling rivalry. Any inevitable competition that exists between them revolves around pushing to make themselves and their sister the best that they can be.

"If they're running a sprint, and Jenna gets ahead of her a little, then Emily really turns up her speed," said the Royson's dad, Scott.

At the end of the day, each girl knows that her sister has her back on and off the field, no matter what.

"Everything that we do is because we believe in each other so much," said Jenna. "Playing together and going on this ride with my sister is extra special. We're tackling the same battles, and it's great to be able to go through the ups and downs with her."

The feeling of trust and comfort that comes with having your sister playing alongside you has been invaluable to all four players.

"When she's out there, I'm confident in the fact that she will find me when I need her to find me, and I know that like she's got my back if anything happens," said Delaney.

Playing on a team together has strengthened the girls' bonds off the field, too.

"Not only playing with Emily, but also hanging out with her and getting to see her everyday is great," said Jenna. "We do everything together. It's just nice to have your best friend and your family around you all the time.".

"We've always been really really close as sisters, and I'm grateful for that," said Delaney. "I think that going through this phase of our lives together, being in college and competing at such a high level together day in and day out, has made us closer."

Next year will certainly be different. As the girls finish out the end of their last season playing alongside their sisters, they can't help but think about the future.

"I'm gonna miss her so much next year," said Emily. "It's so weird that it's not going to be her playing center back with me next year - it's going to be a different person. She's my best friend."

Duke soccer will certainly feel the loss of both Delaney and Jenna next season. That being said, both their contributions to the program, as well as the invaluable memories and time spent with their sisters, will remain long after their time in Durham comes to a close.

The sisters will look to continue their season Friday, Nov. 18 as the Blue Devils face Texas in the NCAA Tournament second round at 6:30 p.m., at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, N.C

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