Irvine, Calif. – With the 2025 season fast approaching, the Concordia University Irvine women's volleyball team is excited to announce the first recruiting class under head coach Eryn Leja-Martin.

The Green and Gold are welcoming 11 new student-athletes to the CUI Golden Eagles family. Seven are true freshmen while four transfers have previous college experience.

Along with assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Alex Leja, the entire coaching staff helped bring in this versatile group of new Golden Eagles - who hail from five different states. 

Six of these 11 additions hail from California, but there are also newcomers who claim Arizona, Utah, Hawai'i or Texas as their home state.

This includes a pair of middle blockers, two setters, multiple liberos and at least five who can play as outside hitters.

Let's meet our new Golden Eagles:
 
Sofia Ajmal – 6'0" Pin Hitter
A freshman from Temecula, Ajmal comes to CUI from Chaparral High School and 951 Elite Volleyball club. She is an outside hitter/opposite who can help the team in various ways.

 "Sofia is a great addition to our team in numerous ways," said CUI head coach Eryn Leja-Martin. "She is so dynamic and can play any position in the front row.  I am so excited to watch Sofia grow as a Golden Eagle, and see what position she will play and contribute at the collegiate level."
 
Avery Banaag – 5'4" DS/Libero
A junior transfer from Grossmont College, Banaag is an Eastlake High School alum and hails from Chula Vista, Calif. She is a libero/defensive specialist and an Eastlake High School alum.

"I've watched Avery play since high school and followed her JC career closely," explained Leja-Martin. "She is so fun on defense and she is one of the best 'coverage' players I've ever coached.  She brings a high level of competitive drive and heart on the court, and her teammates were instantly drawn to her.  Having her compete with us in the spring was a wonderful way to integrate her early, and we cannot wait to see how Avery contributes this fall."
 
Grace Carollo – 5'8" Setter
Carollo is a freshman setter from Sacramento. She played at Christian Brothers High School and Synergy Force Volleyball club.

"Grace is a phenomenal young setter and has a natural tempo and feel for running an offense," said Leja-Martin.  "She was coached by excellent coaches in her previous programs, and I know she will be ready to face any challenge as a young, collegiate setter.  Grace plays with intensity and passion, and I know she will be a wonderful addition to our setting position at CUI."
 
Nevada Knowles – 6'0" Setter
A Ventura High School alum, Knowles played previously at UC San Diego as a setter and before that was also a two-time All-American at Ventura College. Knowles set a school record for the Tritons as a junior in 2023 with seven aces in a three-set match against CSUN.

"Nevada is an exceptional athlete and human being, and we are so lucky to have her at CUI," added Leja-Martin.  "She has already brought so much fire and competitiveness to our gym after transferring in during the spring semester.  She is a multi-faceted player who can do it all.  Her high volleyball IQ and creativity as a setter is so fun to watch, and we cannot wait to see what she brings to her PacWest opponents this fall."
 
Gabby Johnson – 6'0" Middle Blocker
One of two new middle blockers joining the squad, Johnson continues the program's tradition of having at least one student-athlete from Arizona. Johnson is a Perry High School alum from nearby Gilbert and played for Club One Volleyball club.

 "Gabby comes from a powerhouse high school program where she will bring experience and knowledge from high level play and competition.  She is a natural and gifted blocker in the middle and has a super quick arm on offense.  She is fast off the ground, and is incredibly coachable.  We can't wait to see how Gabby develops on the court as a Golden Eagle over her next four years."
 
Clara John – 6'1" Middle Blocker
John comes to Concordia from Farmington High School and Utah Hive Volleyball club as a middle blocker. She is one of four Golden Eagles from the state of Utah.

"Clara is such an exciting player to watch with loads of untapped potential," said Leja-Martin. "She is a wonderful blocker already, and has a natural feel for shutting opposing hitters down.  She is explosive and quick, and always has a smile on her face while she plays her hardest.  I cannot wait to get Clara in the gym in her CUI uniform this fall."
 
Isabella Loftin – 6'0" Pin Hitter
Along with John and the Prior twins, Bella Loftin also is a Utah native. The outside hitter/opposite hails from Lehi High School and Club 801.

"Bella brings so much depth to our roster immediately upon entering our gym," said Leja-Martin.  "We just knew CUI was the place for her, and she is so determined to be the best she can be to kick off her collegiate career.  She has a heavy arm and is a natural and gifted athlete who I think will surprise a lot of people.  We are so excited to train and have Bella part of this program."
 
Halen Kiefer – 5'8" DS/Libero/OH
Kiefer is a redshirt-sophomore transferring in from San Jose State and most recently San Diego Mesa College. She is from nearby Placentia and a proud graduate of El Dorado High School.

"Halen is the real deal when it comes to the type of athlete you want on your team," said Leja-Martin.  "She is a top-tier athlete, and has a huge competitive drive in everything she does.  She brings Division I experience as well as the ability to play multiple positions.  I know Halen will immediately elevate everyone who surrounds her, and her desire to compete for the Green & Gold is already so fun to see."
 
Mya Pinkert – 6'0" Outside Hitter
A Waimea, Hawai'i native, Pinkert is an outside hitter from Hawai'i Preparatory Academy and Kamuela Volleyball club.

"Mya is such a gifted athlete who has so much upside and natural ability on the volleyball court," explained Leja-Martin.  "Her instincts on passing and defense are so fun to watch, and her offense is heavy and aggressive out of both the front and back row.  We are so thrilled to have Mya be a part of this program, and she will only get better and better as she competes as a Golden Eagle in this competitive conference."
 
Emma Wegleitner – 5'11" Outside Hitter
Redshirt sophomore Emma Wegleitner is originally from Boerne, Texas which is near San Antonio. She transferred from Grand Canyon University and is a graduate of Champion High School.

"Emma has been such a blessing to this program immediately upon arrival in the spring," said Leja-Martin.  "She blended in seamlessly with our current team and has brought in high-level experience. Emma is so fun and joyful to be around, but on the volleyball court she will definitely be one of the most competitive you'll see across the net.  Her heavy arm, dynamic blocking and killer serve will be a few of the exciting things people can expect to watch her do this Fall."
 
Kendyll Winn – 5'5" DS/Libero
Kendyll joins Concordia as a freshman libero/defensive specialist from Mountain View, Calif. She is also a Mountain View High School alum and played for Mountain View Volleyball club.

"Kendyll immediately impressed us with her natural talents as a phenomenal defender and confident serve receive passer," explained Leja-Martin. "She is so steady and smooth as a defensive player, and knows how to compete hard for every single point.  Kendyll will bring a wonderful steadiness to our backrow position group, and I am so excited to see how she contributes over the next 4 years as a Golden Eagle."
 
The women's volleyball team and all its new members will be first introduced when CUI hosts the Golden Eagle Classic from Thursday, Sept. 4 to Saturday, Sept. 6. The first two regular season games for the new Golden Eagles will be on Friday, Sept 5 when CUI hosts Western Oregon in a lunch-time matinee at 12:30 p.m. PT and then plays Cal State Dominguez Hills that evening at 7 p.m. 
 
CLICK HERE for the full CUI women's volleyball schedule