FULLERTON, Calif. – Head coach Nicky Cannon and the Cal State Fullerton women's volleyball program announced the signing of six players to the 2026 roster. 

The Titans welcome three freshmen and three transfers. The signing class includes transfer setters Italia Bernal (Washington State) and Jaiden Mojica (Cal State Dominguez Hills), transfer outside hitter Ava Pond (College of Southern Idaho), and freshman outside hitters Bella Risling, Sofia Shine and Arianna Ellis.

Italia Bernal
Setter | Mexicali, Mexico | Washington State University

Italia Bernal is a junior setter transfer from Washington State. In 2025, she started 23 matches and appeared in 93 sets. As the team's setter, she totaled 571 assists while posting a season-high 38 assists in the team's win over Northern Arizona. She recorded 36 assists against East Texas A&M and 31 assists in a sweep against Gonzaga. Overall, Bernal recorded two matches with double-digit digs.

As a freshman in 2024, Bernal led the team and ranked seventh in the WCC with 806 total assists, averaging 7.53 assists per match. Her career-high 61-assist match came against Saint Mary's, where she also recorded four total blocks. She also recorded a career-best 20 digs at Eastern Washington and 39 total kills on the year. 

Bernal also joins the Titans Volleyball program with international experience from Mexico's U21 and U19 National Teams. She served as the starting setter for Mexico at the NORCECA Women's U21 Pan American Cup and at the U19 World Championships in Croatia. 

"Italia brings a wealth of experience to our program after two successful seasons in the Pac-12 and an impressive international career with Mexico's national team," Cannon said. "She is a dynamic setter whose leadership, competitiveness, and selfless approach make her the definition of a servant leader. We are excited for the impact Italia will have on our culture and the future of Titans Volleyball."

Bella Risling
Outside Hitter | Las Vegas, Nev. | Doral Academy Red Rock

Bella Risling joins Titans Volleyball as a freshman outside hitter. At Doral Academy Red Rock, she was named to the 4a All-Region First Team and Second Team. She also received 4a Mountain League Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors. 

In her final two high school seasons, Risling led her team in kills, totaling 472 with a .203 hitting percentage. She collected 76 aces from the service line and 87 total blocks.

"Bella is a dynamic and highly competitive pin hitter who will bring versatility, energy, and relentless intensity to our program. She is capable of playing on both the outside or right side and combines strong ball control with the ability to impact every phase of the game," Cannon said. "What I love most about Bella is that although she has a quiet and humble demeanor off the court, she transforms into a fierce competitor the moment she steps between the lines." 

Ava Pond
Outside Hitter | Lehi, Utah | College of Southern Idaho

Ava Pond joins the Titans as a sophomore transfer from the College of Southern Idaho. As a freshman in 2025, Pond appeared in 53 sets across 15 matches. She averaged 2.47 kills per set with 131 total kills, including a career-high 15 kills on .560 hitting against Central Wyoming College. She earned SLCC Tournament MVP honors and finished the season with 32 blocks and 25 digs. 

Pond graduated from Skyridge High School in Lehi, Utah, where she helped her team win the 2023 6A Region championship. In two seasons, she received 2024-25 All-Valley Second Team honors and was a 2024 All-Region Second Team honoree. 

"Ava is a promising right-side hitter with great size and physicality who developed into one of the top attackers in Utah's 6A classification," Cannon said. "She has the ability to be terminal on the pin, but what makes her special is the positivity, joy, and toughness she brings to everything she does. Ava embraces hard work and is ready to help make Titans Volleyball great."

Sofia Shine
Outside Hitter | Placentia, Calif. | El Dorado HS 

Sofia Shine is a 6-foot outside hitter with experience in indoor, beach, and basketball. She is a four-time scholar-athlete and a 2023 Crestview League Champion. The Athlete of the Year and Century Conference League MVP broke the school record with 1,505 career kills. Shine is a two-time First-Team All-CIF selection and a First-Team All-Orange County honoree. 

Shine has had a successful club career, taking first place at the 18-Premier Division Las Vegas Classic. She helped lead her 17-Premier Division team to a second-place finish at the Las Vegas Classic and a second-place finish at the 18-Open Division Dallas AVC Qualifier. 

"Sofia is a proven winner who comes from one of the most accomplished high school volleyball programs in Southern California. A multi-sport athlete, she translates her athleticism into a dynamic six-rotation outside hitter who competes with relentless energy," Cannon said. "As a true coach's kid, Sofia understands that the path to greatness isn't always linear, and her competitive mindset and willingness to embrace every challenge make her a great fit for Titans Volleyball."

Jaiden Mojica
Setter | Chula Vista, Calif. | Cal State Dominguez Hills

Jaiden Mojica enters her senior season with the Titans after stints at San Diego Mesa (2023-24) and Cal State Dominguez Hills (2025). As a San Diego Mesa Olympian, Mojica helped lead the team to an indoor state championship title (2023) and both indoor and beach conference titles (2024). In 2025, she helped guide CSUDH to a beach-state championship. 

Last season, the 5-foot-5 setter appeared in 77 sets and led the team with 463 assists. She ranked second on the team with 30 service aces and third with 175 digs. 

In high school, Mojica gained leadership experience as a team captain during her junior and senior seasons. During this time, she earned back-to-back MVP awards and two All-Conference selections. 

"Jaiden is a Southern California native who brings three years of collegiate experience along with a high volleyball IQ and exceptional defensive athleticism at the setter position," Cannon said. "Despite her smaller stature, she is a dynamic playmaker who has proven herself as both a leader and competitor, serving as a team captain at her previous program. We are excited to see the leadership, experience, and competitive edge Jaiden will bring to Titans Volleyball."

Arianna Ellis
Outside Hitter | West Hills, Calif. | El Camino Real HS 

Arianna Ellis is a true freshman standing just shy of 6 feet tall. She played three years of indoor volleyball and two years of beach volleyball at El Camino Real High School, where she was named the CIF West Valley League Player of the Year and MVP as a senior. She is also a two-time 2023 LA City Section Open Division champion and a LA City Section First-Team selection (2024-25). 

"Arianna is a developing pin hitter whose experience competing in both indoor and beach volleyball has helped shape her into a dynamic and well-rounded player," Cannon said. "She possesses a high volleyball IQ, strong defensive instincts, and the creativity to make plays in out-of-system situations. Arianna's passion for learning and continual growth will make her a valuable addition as we continue building Titans Volleyball."

The six additions join incoming freshman outside hitter Parys Taylor and freshman setter Sibley Oster, whose signings were announced in November 2025.  

The Titans open the 2026 season with 17-straight road matches before hosting Cal Poly at Titan Gym on Friday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m. Tickets for all nine home matches are on sale now at FullertonTitansTickets.com. 



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