Level

Yaya currently plays for Were Di Dames 2, competing in the Reserve Hoofdklasse, a level comparable to the Women’s Eerste Klasse in the Netherlands (fourth highest level of senior hockey). Throughout her youth career, she consistently played for the top teams within her club, gaining extensive experience at the Super and Subtop levels. 

Playing style
Yaya is a highly versatile player who can contribute effectively as a midfielder, defender, or even forward. Her strongest positions are midfielder or attacking-minded back/pivot. Yaya is known for her her hockey IQ, calmness on the ball, and coaching ability. One of her key strengths is her ability to read the field and anticipate the next phase of play, both in possession and defensively. Yaya plays with a strong sense of intuition, allowing her to create unexpected passes or actions that break lines and open space. She’s always looking for ways to stay with the play and create give-and-go’s with her teammates. Defensively, Yaya is vocal and organized, constantly coaching her teammates to ensure a good defensive setup. Yaya can fulfil multiple roles in the APC and DPC.

Academics
Yaya already obtained her MBO diploma.

Yaya is excited to continue her hockey and academic journey in the United States, where she looks forward to learning from her teammates and experiencing a different style of play while combining it with her own strengths. She is motivated to pursue both athletic and personal growth, and is especially interested in the strong emphasis on team culture, recovery, and togetherness within U.S. collegiate programs. Yaya values a close team environment and is eager to be part of a group that feels like a family, both on and off the field.