{"id":215354,"date":"2025-09-10T11:22:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T11:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/215354\/"},"modified":"2025-09-10T11:22:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T11:22:15","slug":"change-of-scenery-how-sisters-find-themselves-on-the-same-side-of-the-net","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/215354\/","title":{"rendered":"Change of scenery: How sisters find themselves on the same side of the net"},"content":{"rendered":"

After years of competing for different volleyball programs, sisters Colby<\/a> and Jillian Neal<\/a> now find themselves playing on the court together as Sun Devils.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Following her four years and two degrees from Oregon, Colby, a graduate middle blocker, was in search of a change of scenery and signed with the Sun Devils in February 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Influencing Colby\u2019s decision was her younger sister, Jillian, who is a junior outside hitter with the Sun Devils. Jillian\u2019s love for ASU volleyball assured Colby that she was making the right choice.<\/p>\n

“Being able to live with my sister and play a collegiate sport is just so special,\u201d Colby said. \u201cSo that was definitely the biggest driving factor of coming to ASU.”<\/p>\n

Jillian has always admired Colby, so the opportunity to play alongside her older sister is something that she is incredibly appreciative of.<\/p>\n

“When she finally decided and finalized ASU, I was extremely thrilled,” Jillian said. “She was my role model and one of my inspirations growing up. So getting to share this opportunity with my role model, and getting to play with her too, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I\u2019m very grateful for.”<\/p>\n

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Congratulations Colby Neal for winning MVP & Ella Lomigora and Kiylah Presley to being named to the All-Tournament team at the Nore-Stahl Classic this weekend! \ud83d\udc4f#ForksUp<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/GsaqruOAhc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) September 8, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Raised in a sports-centric household, seeing their daughters become teammates is exciting for the Neal parents.<\/p>\n

The love for sports runs deep for the Neal family, beginning with the parents, who both had collegiate careers of their own at Cal State Bakersfield. Their father, Stephen Neal<\/a>, won two NCAA wrestling championships. He later played in the NFL, where he won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. While their mother, Jodee, played softball for the school.\u00a0Their younger brother, Gunnar, is a freshman wrestling at Colorado Mesa.<\/p>\n

“When they found their passion, whatever their passion was, we both just supported that,” Stephen said. “It\u2019s been really fun to watch them play volleyball and learn the sport.”<\/p>\n

Colby has been playing sports for as long as she can remember, whether that be youth soccer, gymnastics or volleyball. She said that when volleyball clicked, she knew she wanted to compete at the collegiate level.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m just happy to see that they\u2019re enjoying it,” Stephen said. “It\u2019s not a chore for them. They enjoy playing volleyball. They love their teammates and their coaches, so it\u2019s really fun to see them in that environment.”<\/p>\n

On the court, the girls have been able to balance each other well. As one of the older girls on the team, Colby strives to be a leader and aims to have a grounded presence. On the other hand, Jillian brings a positive light to the environment and uses her optimism to alleviate stress in tense situations.<\/p>\n

As a former athlete, the biggest thing Stephen tried to instill in his kids was not to panic, no matter the game situation, and to focus on staying relaxed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No matter how good it\u2019s going or how bad it\u2019s going, just go out there and do your best,” Stephen said. “You can\u2019t do better than your best.”<\/p>\n

The Neal family is looking forward to this new era, where they\u2019ll be rooting for two Sun Devils this volleyball season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There are so many seasons in your life, and they\u2019re in a really fun season of life,” Stephen said. “Just enjoy it, no matter if it\u2019s a little stressful at times or not.”<\/p>\n

Edited by Jack McCarthy, Henry Smardo and Ellis Preston.<\/p>\n

Reach the reporter at cjoneil6@asu.edu<\/a> and follow @cjojournalism<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n

Like The State Press<\/a> on Facebook and follow @statepress<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n

Char O\u2019Neil is a junior studying sports journalism with a minor in special events management. This is her second semester with The State Press. She has also reported for AZPreps365, Blaze Radio and Phoenix College Basketball.<\/p>\n

Continue supporting student journalism and donate<\/a> to The State Press today.<\/p>\n