(Photo Courtesy: Sun Devil Athletics)
Moving across the country to a new college and environment is a tough process for anyone; add in the mental sharpness it takes to compete in a Power Five athletic conference on a weekly basis and you have a strong-smelling recipe for failure.
However, some defy those odds. ASU women’s soccer graduate student defender Jayda Hylton-Pelaia thrives under these conditions.
After wrapping up her time at East Carolina University, Hylton-Pelaia looked for a new challenge, but wasn’t sure where. Once head coach Graham Winkworth saw her name in the transfer portal, he acted quickly, swooping Hylton-Pelaia up, determined to bring her into his ranks in Tempe.
The intangibles she provides also made the decision an easy one to open up the recruitment process.
“She’s likable, she’s such a sweetheart and the girls clicked with her straight away. She’s got a great personality that you can’t help but like. She’s just a sweet individual and we enjoy spending time with her,” Winkworth said. “She’s got a passionate soccer side too but that’s what she’s playing in the Pac-12. But she’s also got this lovely personality that is something that the whole team enjoys.”
The graduate student defender cites the new opportunities as a reason why Arizona State caught her attention.
“I liked the way that the coaches spoke to me and I liked the amount of diversity on the team. I was looking for a new experience and this was definitely way different than my old school or anywhere I’ve played before,” Hylton-Pelaia said. “I like to play in new environments because I think it gives you perspective and I think that’s something I’ve gained since I’ve been here.”
Despite coming into the team alone and as the only graduate transfer, the rest of the team made the transition feel easy and comfortable. Living with her teammates also helped to calm some nerves in a new environment.
Teammate and ASU senior forward Nicole Douglas says their relationship “clicked from the moment she stepped onto campus.”
Joining a new team isn’t always a smooth transition and it can take time for the most talented players to develop on-field chemistry with their new teammates. Sun Devil soccer runs a team-oriented style of play that heavily relies on the understanding between players.
Upon arrival she quickly joined the team, getting a head start during the summer for some preseason training, work that wasn’t mandatory. From the first training session, she knew and adopted the team’s mission to be the best version of themselves every day. Meeting before the season helped to acclimate Hylton-Pelaia into the team and develop relationships with her teammates.
“She adapted really, really well. I mean, if you look at her play on this team, you’d think she’d been here since she was a freshman,” Douglas said. “She understands the way that we play our game, our playing style, our game plans every week and you can see that on the field
The experience she brings as a graduate student can’t be understated. Serving as a good role model for younger players to look up to, she is a positive impact on any team.
“She makes interceptions that I wouldn’t even think she’d get the ball,” Douglas said. “She’s a very good leader as well and has the mental aspects to read the game really well.”
In addition to her teammates, Hylton-Pelaia grew a relationship with Winkworth. Anyone who knows the ASU head coach knows how much he cares about his team and the short time knowing each other didn’t stop the relationship from blossoming.
During the recruitment process, coaches spend time with the player in order to get to know them better, but this recruitment was different due to COVID-19 protocols. Winkworth adjusted by chatting with players over video calls and waited until preseason to meet in person.
“To be honest, I feel like we’ve known each other for far longer than we actually have because she’s such an easy person to get along with, you feel like you’ve known her for a long time,” Winkworth said. “It was different because we couldn’t do the normal things through a recruitment process, but because she’s so likable, it’s very seamless, you know, just to fit in because she’s a sweet girl.”
Winkworth and his coaching staff’s care and commitment during the recruitment process was another factor as to why Hylton-Pelaia chose ASU.
After a full season, Hylton-Pelaia has immersed herself in Sun Devil Soccer. From the palm trees on campus to the cooler fall weather, she gratefully calls Tempe home.
“This team has a really amazing culture. Everyone gets along and everyone is super kind and it’s never a dull moment with us. Even on trips and when we have long days and traveling. We still always make it fun and I think we’re always there for each other,” Hylton-Pelaia said. “I think it comes down to the fact that so many of us are so far away from homes. We really are each other’s family.”
