Arizona volleyball welcomed a high‑impact addition this week as transfer outside hitter Destiny Ndam‑Simpson announced her commitment to the Wildcats. The Omaha, Nebraska native, who was a top‑35 high‑school recruit, spent two seasons at Creighton serving as a reserve behind All‑Americans Norah Sis and Ava Martin before an injury curtailed her junior year.
Why Arizona pursued Ndam‑Simpson
Head coach Rita Stubbs praised Ndam‑Simpson’s work ethic and the diligence she showed during the recruiting process. “I knew who she was before she went to Creighton,” Stubbs said. “She trained hard, faced great competition, and was very diligent about her recruiting process, which I truly appreciated.”
With the transfer portal giving players more freedom, Ndam‑Simpson spoke with over 30 schools, according to Stubbs. Her background as a sought‑after recruit and the fact she still had more than one year of eligibility made her an attractive prospect for Arizona, which needed a reliable aggressive attacker.
Commitment and first impressions
During a campus visit, Ndam‑Simpson texted her mother to share her excitement and later presented Coach Stubbs with an Arizona volleyball shirt in a local bookstore, prompting a delighted reaction from the coach. She noted the strong culture fostered by the staff and the supportive community surrounding the program.
“You can tell through the coaches the kind of culture they cultivate and the kinds of people they have around,” Ndam‑Simpson said. “If this is the right place for you, there’s a community, a team, and a support staff that wants to have you here.”
Early performance
In the Wildcats’ three preseason matches, Ndam‑Simpson emerged as the team’s top attacker, leading in kills in each game and posting the most points in two of the three contests. In exhibition play she recorded 24 kills in a scrimmage against the Red‑Blue squad, followed by 12 kills against Grand Canyon University and 18 against New Mexico. Although these numbers are not reflected in official statistics, they gave fans a preview of her offensive potential.
She also contributed defensively, posting a double‑double with 16 digs in the New Mexico exhibition, tying teammate Carlie Cisneros for second on the team.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats will host a home weekend before embarking on a September road swing that includes a matchup against Ndam‑Simpson’s former team, Creighton, on Sept. 4. She expressed enthusiasm about facing her old program and having her family in attendance.
“It’s a really fun place to play, and I’m excited to see some of the girls that I’m still close with, and my family will be able to come, and it’s going to be a fight,” she said. “Obviously I want to go in there and pull the upset, but just the opportunity to go back in there. That gym gave me a lot.”
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
