While many times siblings choose to go their separate ways in their college careers, these two have decided to once again put their talents on display together. WKU head coach Jason Neidell — also a native of Tulsa — is not surprised at what this tandem as been able to accomplish.
“The greatest thing I can say about these two is that they are really, really neat people from a great family,” said Neidell. “Jenny has been a leader for us. Her positive attitude and demeanor really helped us in the beginning. Alicia has come in with just as much enthusiasm as her sister.”
It is that enthusiasm that has allowed both to enjoy success on the field in a Western uniform. Besides being a two-time captain, Jenny earned second-team all-Sun Belt Conference honors in 2003 as a defender. In her first year at WKU, Alicia has started nearly half of Western’s matches entering the Sun Belt opener tomorrow at Florida International, and has already recorded a goal and an assist in her young collegiate career.
Even with their individual success, it has almost been four years since the two sisters have played significant minutes together. So far this season, Jenny has been sidelined with injuries that have prevented the two from once again showcasing their talents in front of Lady Topper fans. But, as fate would have it, Jenny’s medical redshirt in 2002 will give the sisters two seasons to play together on the Hill instead of just one.
“I can’t wait to get out there and play with Alicia again the next two seasons,” admits Jenny. “I hadn’t seen her play in a few years, and just seeing the player she has developed into makes it that much more exciting.”
“I’ve watched Jenny play since I was big enough to watch soccer, and I’ve really learned a lot from her,” added Alicia. “It’s going to be awesome when we’re able to get out there together because we know how each other plays and can feed off of that.”
The potential of this duo possesses has not escaped Neidell either, who has developed Alicia into an outside midfielder — the position directly in front of Jenny’s defensive spot. But according to their coach, it isn’t just their athletic ability that makes these sisters an impressive combo.
“Their personalities reflect the way they play on the field,” said Neidell. “Jenny is probably more serious and straight forward so she’s more willing to get in and mix it up on tackles. Alicia maybe has a little more creativity and flair that shows on the field.”
Even with a difference in personality — not to mention the fact they grew up sharing close quarters — the two admit they are happy to be reunited not only athletically, but also on a day-to-day basis.
“Jenny’s like my best friend,” said the younger Dalby. “We have our little arguments just like any sisters, but she’s helped me a lot with picking my classes and just the everyday stuff in college life. It’s been awesome being here with her.”
“I’ve probably been more of a big sister now than I ever was at home,” admitted Jenny. “I want Alicia to go through the freshman experience without feeling like someone is looking over her shoulder, but she always knows I’m around if she needs anything.
“All through high school, up until now I can tell we’ve grown closer,” Jenny continued. “We can talk to each other about anything, and she can help me just as much as I can help her. I also know if I have a problem I can go to Alicia for help because she grew up with me and knows what I'm going through.”
That sisterly bond has also been evident on the soccer field in the past.
“We both played forward our one year together in high school,” explained Alicia. “I’d never played there before, so Jenny basically told me where to go. And if I got knocked down she would switch players with me and take care of things.”
That family closeness was also a factor in reuniting the two sisters this fall. While Jenny had already established herself in Bowling Green over three years, it was not a done deal as Alicia weighed all her options when picking a school.
“Last year, I started talking to Jason about the possibility of recruiting Alicia,” said Jenny. “And once she decided she wanted to play soccer in college, I definitely encouraged her to look up here. It's been great having her around. We really both enjoy it.”
“I was very comfortable coming here, but at the same time I had watched these girls play for three years, so it was a little strange to actually be out on the field with them and not sitting over in the stands,” added Alicia. “But even though I’d known most of the girls for awhile, I still felt I had to go out and prove that I could play and wasn’t just here because I was Dalby’s little sister.”
The nepotism angle was never a concern for Neidell, who saw the talents that both sisters possess on and off the field. And if any coach understands the memories that can be created while competing side-by-side with sibling, it is Neidell. As a prep, he got to share the field with his older brother David.
“We had five sets of brothers split between varsity and junior varsity,” remembered Neidell. “We were up big in one match, and our coach put all five sets of brothers on the field at the same time. That is something I will never forget as long as I live.”
Now Jenny and Alicia Dalby have two more years to create their own memories as the torch gets passed from one sister to another. But what about the chance of these two sharing living space again?
“We’ve talked about getting an apartment next year,” said Jenny with a laugh. “As long as we don’t have to share a room, that is definitely an option.”
