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

By Charlotte Tannenbaum, Duke Athletic Communications Student Assistant

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.”



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…