TEMPE— Sun Devil Athletics houses various student-athletes from all over the world and opens up doors for new generations of athletes striving to make their dreams come true in their respective sports.
The Sun Devils' spotlight currently shines brightly on several first-year student-athletes who are building their legacies far from home, all united by the same goal of pursuing their academic and athletic dreams.
Whether it's adjusting to the extreme heat or maintaining a balance between their studies and their sports, these student-athletes are overcoming their challenges with ambition and determination in order to stay on the road to success.
Ani Pamp: Paddling Through the Waves of Change from Australia
Native to the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia, Ani Pamp's water polo journey miraculously fell into place. At the age of nine, Pamp's passion for the sport started to blossom due to her older sister playing water polo and a family friend who previously played. Even though water polo wasn't popular in her community at the time, it didn't hinder Pamp's newfound appreciation for the sport.
However, moving to Arizona and attending Arizona State were never part of her plan. Pamp admitted that she was initially hoping to focus on national competitions and stay close to home. Yet, when ASU's assistant coach Ethan D'Souza reached out to her and fellow teammate Layla Smith to play in the U.S., it ignited an excitement she couldn't ignore.
Whether it's managing a 17-hour time difference or figuring out the logistics of living abroad, ASU's supportive community, attentive coaches, and other international players have all served as key stepping stones to adjusting to college life in the U.S. for Pamp.
"There's so many internationals. So, it's really nice having so many people you can relate to while also understanding their different cultures and what that all entails in water polo," Pamp said.
Training during COVID-19, doing extra sessions with her sister, and staying motivated with the support of her family – all "big sport advocates" – have shaped Pamp into the player she is today. Her experiences of moving across the world and embracing change have strengthened her work ethic and continue to help her reach new heights in her collegiate career.
Aiya Nupbay: A Perfect Match From Kazakhstan to Arizona
Aiya Nupbay's tennis journey is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Omaha, Kazakhstan, Nupbay spent her childhood years in Dubai before returning to Kazakhstan at the age of 10. From that point forward, she was able to fully immerse herself in tennis.
Nupbay's admiration for tennis remained unwavering despite the fact that tennis was still in its formative stages in Kazakhstan. She began competing in tournaments when she turned 12. By the time she was 16, she had joined the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation to compete on an international level. Nupbay also took the leap to move to Serbia to pursue her tennis career after feeling "stagnant" in Kazakhstan.
Nupbay's attention wasn't focused on playing tennis on a collegiate level until a fateful encounter with a recruit during a tournament in Milan shifted her attention to college tennis in 2024.
"I didn't really think about college at all," Nupbay said. "I feel like now that I know about the college system, how I can become a professional tennis player from it, and also have an academic background, it was just the best option for me. Later on, when I started the process, ASU reached out to me, and I have had no second doubts," Nupbay said.
As a health sciences major with aspirations in the medical field, Nupbay has found ASU's support and resources for international athletes crucial to her transition to the U.S. From adjusting to new foods to staying connected to her family at home, she has navigated the challenges of a language barrier with resilience.
Nupbay has had a plethora of success this spring, starting her collegiate career going 4-0 in dual matches, including a win in straight sets (6-4, 6-2) over No. 104 Marcela Lopez (Oklahoma State) for her first ranked victory. Furthermore, Nupbay contributed to victories in multiple doubles matches this spring, going 6-2 in Big 12 matches with Emilija Tverijonaite as her partner, which leads the team with six doubles wins in conference play. The freshman got her first collegiate victory in the the Big 12 opener against Utah in three-sets helping clinch the win.
"This place has given me so many opportunities. I'm in the perfect place to grow," Nupbay said.
Kierra Blundell: Kicking Through the Heat, From Vancouver to Arizona
For Kierra Blundell, soccer has always been part of her DNA. Growing up in Vancouver, Canada, she dabbled in every sport, from swimming to basketball, before finding her passion for soccer in middle school. When she started her high school career, Blundell received the opportunity to play soccer after earning a spot at an academy.
During the recruiting process, Blundell considered various other universities before deciding to commit to ASU during the summer of her sophomore year after witnessing the team culture.
"I feel like the student-athlete community here is just different. Everyone's just always there for each other," Blundell said.
Adjusting to Arizona's heat and acclimating to the environment has been a challenge for Blundell, along with missing her pets. However, her passion for soccer and the support of her teammates have helped her overcome every obstacle.
When offering advice to other international student-athletes, Blundell emphasizes the importance of making friends and seizing the opportunity to earn a degree while pursuing an athletic career.
"Just enjoy this opportunity. It doesn't come every day, and you're coming from so far away. Make all the friends you can and push yourself as hard as you can," Blundell said.
Blundell's determination to graduate with honors and pursue her athletic goals despite the challenges of moving abroad earned her the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award. Her strong work ethic and optimism have made a lasting impact in the Big 12 and will play a key role in her dream of joining the Canadian national team in the future.
The Sun Devils' spotlight currently shines brightly on several first-year student-athletes who are building their legacies far from home, all united by the same goal of pursuing their academic and athletic dreams.
Whether it's adjusting to the extreme heat or maintaining a balance between their studies and their sports, these student-athletes are overcoming their challenges with ambition and determination in order to stay on the road to success.
Ani Pamp: Paddling Through the Waves of Change from Australia
Native to the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia, Ani Pamp's water polo journey miraculously fell into place. At the age of nine, Pamp's passion for the sport started to blossom due to her older sister playing water polo and a family friend who previously played. Even though water polo wasn't popular in her community at the time, it didn't hinder Pamp's newfound appreciation for the sport.
However, moving to Arizona and attending Arizona State were never part of her plan. Pamp admitted that she was initially hoping to focus on national competitions and stay close to home. Yet, when ASU's assistant coach Ethan D'Souza reached out to her and fellow teammate Layla Smith to play in the U.S., it ignited an excitement she couldn't ignore.
Whether it's managing a 17-hour time difference or figuring out the logistics of living abroad, ASU's supportive community, attentive coaches, and other international players have all served as key stepping stones to adjusting to college life in the U.S. for Pamp.
"There's so many internationals. So, it's really nice having so many people you can relate to while also understanding their different cultures and what that all entails in water polo," Pamp said.
Training during COVID-19, doing extra sessions with her sister, and staying motivated with the support of her family – all "big sport advocates" – have shaped Pamp into the player she is today. Her experiences of moving across the world and embracing change have strengthened her work ethic and continue to help her reach new heights in her collegiate career.
Aiya Nupbay: A Perfect Match From Kazakhstan to Arizona
Aiya Nupbay's tennis journey is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Omaha, Kazakhstan, Nupbay spent her childhood years in Dubai before returning to Kazakhstan at the age of 10. From that point forward, she was able to fully immerse herself in tennis.
Nupbay's admiration for tennis remained unwavering despite the fact that tennis was still in its formative stages in Kazakhstan. She began competing in tournaments when she turned 12. By the time she was 16, she had joined the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation to compete on an international level. Nupbay also took the leap to move to Serbia to pursue her tennis career after feeling "stagnant" in Kazakhstan.
Nupbay's attention wasn't focused on playing tennis on a collegiate level until a fateful encounter with a recruit during a tournament in Milan shifted her attention to college tennis in 2024.
"I didn't really think about college at all," Nupbay said. "I feel like now that I know about the college system, how I can become a professional tennis player from it, and also have an academic background, it was just the best option for me. Later on, when I started the process, ASU reached out to me, and I have had no second doubts," Nupbay said.
As a health sciences major with aspirations in the medical field, Nupbay has found ASU's support and resources for international athletes crucial to her transition to the U.S. From adjusting to new foods to staying connected to her family at home, she has navigated the challenges of a language barrier with resilience.
Nupbay has had a plethora of success this spring, starting her collegiate career going 4-0 in dual matches, including a win in straight sets (6-4, 6-2) over No. 104 Marcela Lopez (Oklahoma State) for her first ranked victory. Furthermore, Nupbay contributed to victories in multiple doubles matches this spring, going 6-2 in Big 12 matches with Emilija Tverijonaite as her partner, which leads the team with six doubles wins in conference play. The freshman got her first collegiate victory in the the Big 12 opener against Utah in three-sets helping clinch the win.
"This place has given me so many opportunities. I'm in the perfect place to grow," Nupbay said.
Kierra Blundell: Kicking Through the Heat, From Vancouver to Arizona
For Kierra Blundell, soccer has always been part of her DNA. Growing up in Vancouver, Canada, she dabbled in every sport, from swimming to basketball, before finding her passion for soccer in middle school. When she started her high school career, Blundell received the opportunity to play soccer after earning a spot at an academy.
During the recruiting process, Blundell considered various other universities before deciding to commit to ASU during the summer of her sophomore year after witnessing the team culture.
"I feel like the student-athlete community here is just different. Everyone's just always there for each other," Blundell said.
Adjusting to Arizona's heat and acclimating to the environment has been a challenge for Blundell, along with missing her pets. However, her passion for soccer and the support of her teammates have helped her overcome every obstacle.
When offering advice to other international student-athletes, Blundell emphasizes the importance of making friends and seizing the opportunity to earn a degree while pursuing an athletic career.
"Just enjoy this opportunity. It doesn't come every day, and you're coming from so far away. Make all the friends you can and push yourself as hard as you can," Blundell said.
Blundell's determination to graduate with honors and pursue her athletic goals despite the challenges of moving abroad earned her the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award. Her strong work ethic and optimism have made a lasting impact in the Big 12 and will play a key role in her dream of joining the Canadian national team in the future.