Nicky Cannon Welcomes 14 Newcomers to 2025 Roster

FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton women’s volleyball program and Nichole Cannon announced the signing of 14 newcomers to the 2025-26 roster. Cannon’s first roster as head of Titans Volleyball features two returners, seven transfers and nine freshmen. 

Kaia Herweg

Libero | Long Beach, Calif. | Grand Canyon University

Kaia Herweg appeared in 34 sets during the 2024 season at Grand Canyon. As libero, she averaged 1.47 digs per set with 50 total digs. At the service line she had one ace and assisted in three attacks. 

“Kaia reminds me of all the joy, excitement and energy that the sport of volleyball can generate. She’s a never-ending burst of fire and makes everyone around her better,” Cannon said. “Kaia also brings an endless pursuit and relentless fight to the back court and holds some of the most important qualities of a high level libero.

Marisa Nakata 

Libero | Kailua, Hawai’i | Hawai’i Baptist Academy

Marisa Nakata is a 2024 Division II Player of the Year and received two-time ILH First Team All Star. Nakata posted a .284 kill percentage, averaging 5.5 kills per set in high school. At the service line, she recorded 72 aces, while averaging 3.8 digs per set (658 total digs). Nakata assisted in 85 blocks, recording 10 solo blocks before the end of her high school career. 

“Marisa comes from one of the top programs in Hawai’i and adds a dynamic element to Titan Volleyball. She has trained as a 6 rotation OH her whole career, adding depth to the front and back court,” Cannon said. “Marisa comes with all the love and excitement of Hawai’i volleyball and carries a special light about her when she plays. I am excited for her to shine bright and help build the legacy of Titan Volleyball.”

Lira Pukl Verdel

Outside Hitter | Maribor, Slovenia | Il. Gimnazija Maribor

Lira Pukl Verdel is a three-time Slovenian High School Volleyball Champion. Under the OTP Banka Branik Maribor club team, she competed in the first Slovenian professional league, while taking first place in the 2025 Senior Slovenian Championship and the 2021 MEVZA European Qualifier. 

“Lira is a highly reliable and well-rounded outside hitter who consistently contributes on both offense and defense. She’s an intelligent attacker with a fast arm swing and excellent shot variation, making her difficult to defend against. Her serve receive is steady and composed, and she takes responsibility in the backcourt with maturity beyond her years,” Cannon said. “What sets Lira apart is her leadership and work ethic. She brings energy to every match, communicates well, and leads by example — especially in high-pressure moments. She’s also highly coachable, always seeking ways to improve and applying feedback effectively.”

Devin Hicks

Setter | Temecula, Calif. | Chaparral HS

Devin Hicks recorded 601 assists during the 2024-25 season, averaging 6.8 assists per set. In 88 sets, Hicks held a 55.6 kill percentage (35 K), hitting .492 on 63 attacks. Hicks recorded 274 service aces and 139 digs. 

“Devin brings a much needed “dawg mentality” to Titan Volleyball. After watching her complete, we knew how powerful her relentless and competitive energy would be,” Cannon said. “She holds such an esteemed calmness and confidence on the court that is very important for a setter. Devin’s level of play and solid physicality proves her readiness to compete in The Big West.”

Feao Saluni 

Setter | Concord, Calif. | Northgate HS

Feao Saluni was named DAL All-League MVP and a second Team MVP award as a senior at Northgate High School. She earned All-Conference Second Team honors as a junior after earning the Coaches’ Award as a sophomore. 

“We fell in love with Feao the second we watched her play. She has some of the fastest and cleanest hands, but what sealed the deal was her unstoppable energy and leadership on the court,” Cannon said. “Feao could be on a court with 5 different strangers and would find a way to build connection, trust and excitement for each and every one of them. She is a special setter that has the most important intangibles as personal strengths.”

Elon Smith

Middle Blocker | Antioch, Calif. | Deer Valley HS

Elon Smith was named Offensive Player of the Year her junior and senior year. In those two years, Smith collected 225 kills in 161 sets played. She averaged 1.8 kills a set, while hitting .225 with 583 attacks. Smith recorded 146 service aces and 132 total blocks at the net, 130 being solo blocks. 

“Elon is our diamond in the rough and was such a special find while recruiting this spring. Her level of athleticism is elite beyond her being an incoming freshman, and she will be one of the most dynamic players along the net for Titan Volleyball,” Cannon said. “Elon is a competitor and will seek every opportunity to grow and contribute to the success of our program.”

Mia Felhaus 

Libero | Borken, Germany | Gymnasium Mariengarden

Mia Feldhaus helped lead her Skurios Volleys Borken club team to a second Bundesliga Pro Championship title (2021, 2024). She served as both Team Captain and a key voice on her Team Council in Germany. 

“Mia’s journey from Borken, Germany, to Titan Volleyball is a testament to her relentless work ethic, maturity, and passion for the game. She has dreamed of playing professionally in the United States since she was just seven years old, and it’s her dedication to that dream that makes her such a valuable addition to our program,” Cannon said. “As a libero, her ability to read the game, adjust in real time, and lead through action makes her a cornerstone on the court. We’re thrilled to welcome Mia to the Titan Volleyball family as we continue building something special together.”

Carissa Wiles 

Outside Hitter | San Clemente, Calif. | UC Riverside 

Carissa Wiles was named GSAC Freshman of the Year and AVCA Southwest Region Freshman of the Year. In 2024 at UC Riverside, Wiles hit .156 across 87 sets while averaging 2.14 kills per set. She tallied a career-high 14 kills in back-to-back matches at the DC Invitational, and went on to hit .407 at the Pelican Invitational (9/19-21) with 43 kills on 81 swings. She finished last season with honors recognition, being named to The Big West All-Academic Team and Big West Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

“Carissa was the definition of a change maker while I coached her at UCR,” Cannon said. “She led her teammates with connection, trust and love and helped create the level of accountability that changed the program. Carissa is a talented 6 rotation outside hitter with one of the heaviest arms I’ve seen and the ability to be a go to point scorer.”

Hannah Hass

Middle Blocker | Corona, Calif. | Corona HS 

Hannah Hass led her team to the CIF Championship title as a senior, making it to the second round of State. She was named an Inland Empire All-Star Team Player, while ranking No. 1 in hitting percentage in the country multiple weeks in a row. Hass is a two-time All-League First Team selection. Not only did she compete efficiently on the court, she received praise for her academic successes of holding a 4.0 GPA all four years. 

“Though quiet in demeanor, Hannah brings with her a wealth of high-level playing experience and one of the sharpest volleyball minds we’ve seen at her age. Her ability to read the game, make quick decisions at the net, and lead through action sets her apart as a competitor,” Cannon said. “We are confident she’ll have an immediate impact not just on the court, but also on the strength and integrity of our team culture.”

Emilia Graham 

Middle Blocker | Yucaipa, Calif. | Whittier College 

Emilia Graham joins Titans Volleyball after spending the 2024 season at Whittier College. With Whittier, Graham posted 23 kills with a .286 hit percentage and 17 blocks at the net. 

“Emilia holds a very positive and contagious demeanor that will prove powerful to the success of Titan Volleyball. She has a lot of experience at both middle and right side allowing us several options on how to best utilize her strengths and size,” Cannon said. “Emilia is probably one of the best defending and athletic 6’3″ players I’ve seen which completely aligns with our expectations on the court.”

Kahea Carvalho 

Setter | Rolling Hills, Calif. | Coppin State University 

Kahea Carvalho joins the Titans after three semesters spent at CSU. She tallied 25 kills, 681 assists, 37 aces, and 223 digs. Across 116 sets, Carvalho recorded five double-doubles while recording at least 20 assists in 18 matches with four matches of at least 30 assists. 

“Kahea has always been a leader and raised the level of competition around her as well as the players around her,” Cannon said. “She will greatly contribute to being the quarterback on the court and servant leader in the gym.”

Fina Tuinauvai 

Middle Blocker | Oakland, Calif. | Academy of Art

Fina Tuinauvai enters the 2025 season as a transfer student from Academy of Art. She appeared in 96 sets, posting 144 kills (1.50 K/S), 70 blocks (12 solo) and 10 assists.

At James Logan High School, Tuinauvai became a DI NorCal Champion in 2017, four-time MVAL Champion, two-time All-League First Team hitter, and the 2019 Co-Best Offensive Player of the Year. 

Sarah Schubert

Outside Hitter | Hilo, Hawai’i | New Mexico Military Institute 

Sarah Schubert played a prevalent role in NMMI’s road to the Conference and Regional Championship titles and a 28-0 conference record over two seasons. Schubert received Offensive Player of the Year honors. She recorded a career 471 kills (2.02 K/S), 284 digs and 135 blocks. In 2041, Schubert hit .368 with 306 kills.

“Sarah comes from an extremely disciplined and competitive program and will add very much needed maturity and high expectations,” Cannon said. “Sarah contributed greatly to the success of New Mexico Military Academy with her on court strengths and the influence of her positive leadership.”

Kaieva Christensen 

Libero | Riverton, Utah | Brigham Young University

Kaieva Christensen joins the Titans Volleyball program as a transfer from BYU, where she appeared in the NCAA tournament. Across 40 sets, Christensen recorded 23 digs for the Cougars. 

“Kaieva comes from a higher level volleyball gym and conference that will add a great amount of experience to the court as a libero,” Cannon said. She is also mature beyond her years and will immediately impact the culture of our team with her high character and standards.”

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