Completed Event: Field Hockey at North Carolina on November 16, 2025 , Loss , 1, to, 2 , OT
/
Final
Field Hockey
1
at North Carolina
2
Blue Devils Welcome van de Walle and Curland
8/2/2022 10:19:00 AM | Field Hockey
DURHAM – Duke field hockey head coach Pam Bustin is excited to welcome two additions to Blue Devil field hockey as Raphaëlla van de Walle and Kira Curland join the Duke program. Van de Walle joins the team as a graduate student, while Curland is a sophomore transfer from Indiana.
A native of Eindoven, The Netherlands is pursuing her Master of Management in Clinical Informatics from the Duke University School of Medicine.
"We are pleased to announce the addition of graduate student Raphaelle van de Walle to Duke University and the 2022 field hockey team," said Bustin. "Raphaelle's desire to represent Duke field hockey while working towards a graduate degree is a goal we are happy to help fulfill. Her elite playing experience will certainly support the work the returning student-athletes have done over this past spring and summer.
Her passion to play and appreciation for Duke field hockey will make her a fun player to coach and to watch! Welcome Raphaelle!"
Van de Walle most recently completed her Bachelor of Science degree in medicine at Maastricht University where she played hockey for the Ladies 1 team at the university. A central defender, van de Walle was instrumental in the success of Maastricht Ladies 1 and was a key contributor on offensive penalty corners.
Prior to her time at Maastricht, van de Walle played for Oranje-Rood, where she guided the club in both indoor and outdoor national championship tournaments. Van de Walle stood out on Oranje-Rood, earning a spot on the Dutch National Team U18 team. She also trained with Deltatalent, a small group for young talented players.
Before she turned her full focus to hockey, van de Walle excelled on the tennis court in both singles and doubles. She played for the national tennis federation (KNLTB) until she was 12 before having to choose between the two sports.
"We feel fortunate to have Kira Curland joining the Duke True squad," Bustin said. "Kira is familiar with the DI collegiate playing season and is ready to get back at it after taking a semester off. Her skills and understanding of the midfield play will complement the style and work rate of the current Duke midfield group. We look forward to helping Kira continue her hockey development while attaining a Duke degree, and to integrate Kira into the Duke True system. Welcome Kira to our Duke FHamily!"
Curland, a native of Sickte, Germany, was a standout for the Indiana field hockey team as a freshman in 2022. She started all 20 of IU's matches, finishing the season tied for the team lead with 20 points from seven goals and six assists. She registered at least one point in eight games and had a career-best five in a win over St. Louis.
Prior to Indiana, Curland played club hockey for Eintracht Braunschweig, winning the 11 Lower Saxony Championships. She also helped her team to a fourth and a sixth place showing at the German national championships in 2016 and 2018, respectively. A member of the German U16 and U18 junior national teams, Curland also helped her team, Martino-Katharineum to the German Championships in 2017 and runner-up trophy in 2016.
The Blue Devils open preseason practices Aug. 10 and kick off the 2022 campaign Aug. 26. The addition of van de Walle and Curland give Duke nine newcomers to the program for this fall.
#GoDuke
A native of Eindoven, The Netherlands is pursuing her Master of Management in Clinical Informatics from the Duke University School of Medicine.
"We are pleased to announce the addition of graduate student Raphaelle van de Walle to Duke University and the 2022 field hockey team," said Bustin. "Raphaelle's desire to represent Duke field hockey while working towards a graduate degree is a goal we are happy to help fulfill. Her elite playing experience will certainly support the work the returning student-athletes have done over this past spring and summer.
Her passion to play and appreciation for Duke field hockey will make her a fun player to coach and to watch! Welcome Raphaelle!"
Van de Walle most recently completed her Bachelor of Science degree in medicine at Maastricht University where she played hockey for the Ladies 1 team at the university. A central defender, van de Walle was instrumental in the success of Maastricht Ladies 1 and was a key contributor on offensive penalty corners.
Prior to her time at Maastricht, van de Walle played for Oranje-Rood, where she guided the club in both indoor and outdoor national championship tournaments. Van de Walle stood out on Oranje-Rood, earning a spot on the Dutch National Team U18 team. She also trained with Deltatalent, a small group for young talented players.
Before she turned her full focus to hockey, van de Walle excelled on the tennis court in both singles and doubles. She played for the national tennis federation (KNLTB) until she was 12 before having to choose between the two sports.
"We feel fortunate to have Kira Curland joining the Duke True squad," Bustin said. "Kira is familiar with the DI collegiate playing season and is ready to get back at it after taking a semester off. Her skills and understanding of the midfield play will complement the style and work rate of the current Duke midfield group. We look forward to helping Kira continue her hockey development while attaining a Duke degree, and to integrate Kira into the Duke True system. Welcome Kira to our Duke FHamily!"
Curland, a native of Sickte, Germany, was a standout for the Indiana field hockey team as a freshman in 2022. She started all 20 of IU's matches, finishing the season tied for the team lead with 20 points from seven goals and six assists. She registered at least one point in eight games and had a career-best five in a win over St. Louis.
Prior to Indiana, Curland played club hockey for Eintracht Braunschweig, winning the 11 Lower Saxony Championships. She also helped her team to a fourth and a sixth place showing at the German national championships in 2016 and 2018, respectively. A member of the German U16 and U18 junior national teams, Curland also helped her team, Martino-Katharineum to the German Championships in 2017 and runner-up trophy in 2016.
The Blue Devils open preseason practices Aug. 10 and kick off the 2022 campaign Aug. 26. The addition of van de Walle and Curland give Duke nine newcomers to the program for this fall.
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
M
/ Field Hockey
D
/ Field HockeyWhat It’s Like to Be a Blue Devil
Friday, June 13
End of Year Recap
Friday, December 13
CoachBustin Postgame: North Carolina
Sunday, November 17
Coach Bustin & Frederique Wollaert Postgame: Maryland
Friday, November 15
