Different Paths, One Destination: The Law Twins Find Their Way to Illinois State

For Rylann and Rowann Law, playing soccer together has been a constant throughout their lives. Their college careers, however, took different paths before the twin sisters reunited at Illinois State.

Rylann initially committed to Saint Louis University, while Rowann chose Missouri State. After spending their entire lives playing together, the sisters wanted to experience college soccer separately. Eventually, their journeys brought them to the same place in Normal.

When head coach Raleigh DeRose arrived at Illinois State, both sisters were committed elsewhere, but she was already familiar with their playing styles.

"I knew that they were local kids and that they were both fast, both good goal scorers, and created a lot of dangerous opportunities for their team," DeRose said. 

When Rylann decided to de-commit from Saint Louis before her freshman season, Illinois State quickly reached out and brought her to campus.

"I was like, I know this girl could change my program," DeRose said of Rylann. "I know this girl's gonna make a massive impact in the Valley."

Rylann ultimately chose Illinois State, drawn to a program on the rise and a coaching staff that emphasized putting student-athletes first beyond their performance on the pitch.

Rowann's path to Illinois State came later. After spending her freshman season at Missouri State, she entered the transfer portal.

"I was just looking for a team that had more of a family culture," Rowann said. "I just wanted to go somewhere that was better for me."

When DeRose learned Rowann was entering the transfer portal, the opportunity to reunite the sisters on the same roster was an easy decision.

"When we learned [Rylann's] sister was going in the transfer portal, it was a no-brainer," DeRose said. "We were like, yep, let's get Rowann too. Because we know what she can bring."

Rowann arrived at Illinois State with connections already in place. She had played club soccer with Redbird teammates Sosi Dadekian, Bailey Leach and Sammi Cenek, giving her familiar faces within the program before she even took the field in Normal.

She also transferred to Illinois State at the same time as Dadekian. Adjusting to a new team and environment together gave the two another connection as they navigated the transition.

Those relationships, combined with the coaching staff's emphasis on team culture and academics, helped Rowann find the fit she wanted while beginning a new chapter alongside her sister.

"It was good knowing that I was going to a school where I knew people already and I didn't have to try and fit in," Rowann said. 

MAINTAINING INDIVIDUALITY

Although the sisters share a history on the field, their playing styles are distinct. Rylann has recorded four goals and four assists this season, while Rowann has contributed two goals and one assist. Rylann uses her speed to run onto balls and finish scoring opportunities, while Rowann prefers having the ball at her feet and taking on defenders.

Their differences give Illinois State multiple ways to threaten opposing defenses, while their familiarity provides another advantage. After years of playing alongside one another, the twins can anticipate each other's movements and understand where the other wants the ball.

"I pretty much know what she's going to do almost every time," Rowann said of Rylann. "I know where she's going to play the ball, so it's just easier to play off of each other."

DeRose has noticed that connection, joking that the twins have a little "twin telepathy" on the field.

Their familiarity also creates an environment for honest communication. When one makes a mistake, the other isn't afraid to offer feedback that might be harder to deliver to another teammate. Both understand the criticism comes from a desire to help.

"They do give each other honest feedback, which I think sometimes is really helpful because you don't want to say certain things to your teammates, but you will say it to your sister," DeRose said.

The sisters also celebrate each other's success. When one scores, the other shares in the excitement rather than focusing on her own opportunities.

"I'm always happy for her when she scores," Rowann said. "I think it's cool, and I'm proud."

For DeRose, bringing the twins together doesn't mean treating them as a package deal. Having spent much of their lives being grouped together, the coaching staff makes a deliberate effort to recognize them as separate people and players and allow them to establish their own identities within the program. 

"They've been grouped together their whole lives," DeRose said. "So we try to really pay attention to them as two different people."

That distinction matters to the sisters, who have different strengths and personalities despite their shared background.

"We've always been compared, but just because we're sisters doesn't mean we're gonna play the same or be the same," Rowann said.

DeRose describes Rowann as the goofier of the two, often bringing humor to the group, while Rylann is more outgoing and frequently dancing.

Rylann has one pregame ritual she never skips: making a TikTok, whether the Redbirds are playing at home or on the road. Learning the dances can take anywhere from five to 30 minutes. 

Rowann, meanwhile, follows a specific order when getting ready, putting on her left sock, shin guard and cleat before moving to her right side.

Their goal celebrations are another source of entertainment for DeRose, who said their reactions are genuine and often make her laugh.

"It's just nice to have something fun to do after scoring. It's like a reward," Rylann said of the celebrations.

For DeRose, the twins' energy and athleticism give both players room to continue developing. Their willingness to work defensively, combined with their ability to capitalize on opportunities in the attack, gives Illinois State valuable options as it pursues its postseason goals.

Although their college careers took different paths, Rylann and Rowann now share the same vision: helping Illinois State compete for an MVC Tournament championship and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

"Every opponent is going to give us their best game, so we just have to prepare for that," Rylann said. "It's always one game at a time."