Senior Neda Abedi is ready to “make some big waves” playing college soccer. 

After 12 years in the sport and 3 years with her club Bay Area Surf, she’s taking the next — and biggest — step in her athletic career next fall: playing Division III soccer at Denison University.

“It’s not so much that I just committed, but more of what it represents to me,” Neda said. “It shows the discipline and the determination and the fact that after 12 years, I’ve continued with the sport. It shows my passion and how much I really wanted it.”

But Neda wasn’t always the standout player she is today. When she picked up soccer at age 6, it was on her aunt’s whim. 

“In the beginning, I was like any other kid — I just picked up the ball and I ran with it,” Neda said. 

Sticking with it paid off. After one year of playing recreationally, Neda moved right up to a local team, Red Star Soccer in Mountain View. There, she began her competitive journey with a clear love for the game and willingness to improve, according to her Red Star coach Chris McKenna.

“I remember thinking, ‘This girl is going to make me a better coach,’” McKenna said. “Neda would constantly ask for feedback, always expecting more from herself and everyone around her. If Neda played well, the team played well.”

Neda echoed McKenna’s statement from the other end — she said McKenna’s coaching and the overall team aspect of playing soccer kept her in it to win it.

“Coach Chris was really big on my development, and he helped with my technical abilities from a very young age,” Neda said. “That really helped me grow as a player and pursue the passion that I have for soccer.”

After four years with Red Star, Neda moved to De Anza Force Soccer Club in San Jose for two years. Finally switching to Bay Area Surf’s Elite Clubs National League team after that, she’s remained there since.

With Bay Area Surf, Neda plays regional and national showcases and competes against other top club athletes in the nation. This also motivated her pursuit to join a college team, which she honed in on starting her freshman year of high school.

“[Surf] has been the tipping point for my college commitment and my soccer career,” Neda said. “I’ve invested so much in soccer, and playing has brought me so much joy. I really don’t have a life outside of soccer and school, so it’s something that I hold very close to my heart.”

So when the college recruiting window rolled around, Neda was right on it. From Division I to Division III, Ivy League to NESCAC, she had offers across the athletic and academic board. 

Neda ultimately settled on Denison for its balance of both. The Division III Ohio private school is the No. 36-ranked liberal arts college in the country, and offers a special major in Health, Exercise and Sports Studies that Neda plans to pursue. 

Neda was also drawn to Denison’s coach and team community. 

“I love the coach — she’s just someone you would wanna play for,” Neda said. “The girls, they’re a great unit. You could tell there’s a really good family bond between them.”

Neda isn’t the only one looking forward to her college career, though. She said her family — her mom, aunt, grandma and sister — have continually supported her throughout her entire soccer journey.

“They’ve driven me to every single practice, every single game,” Neda said. “They show up for me; they’re there to support me; they’re there to pick me up when I’m down.”

For senior Parisa Abedi, Neda’s twin sister and teammate, Neda’s greatest quality both on and off the pitch is her leadership. 

“[She’s] determined, disciplined and dependable,” Parisa said. “On the field, Neda always uplifts her teammates and sets the tone. Off the field, she’s inviting everyone into the conversation.”

McKenna said the same — that Neda’s impact on the team came from both her technical and guidance skills.

“Neda was always a true captain,” McKenna said. “She became the on-field coach who made my job a lot easier, and the advice was definitely more impactful coming from a peer, rather than a coach.”

Throughout her soccer career and the recruiting process, Neda said her biggest takeaway was learning more about herself. Her advice for her younger self? 

“Know your value,” Neda said. “You’re gonna meet a lot of people, players and coaches who don’t want you to succeed. They’ll say things, they’ll do things that are gonna bring you down. Over the last year, I’ve learned to just play for myself.”