LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Entering his fourth season at the helm of the West Alabama women's soccer program, head coach Sam Wilson has announced the addition of 12 student-athletes to the Tigers' 2026 recruiting class. The group features a blend of experienced transfers and talented high school standouts who will bolster the roster heading into the upcoming season.
"We're thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of young women to our program," said head coach Sam Wilson. "Throughout the recruiting process, it became clear that each of them embodies the values we hold dear—character, work ethic, and a love for the game. They come from outstanding families and successful backgrounds, and we're confident they'll contribute to the culture we're building both on the field and in the classroom."
The class includes two goalkeepers, six forwards, three midfielders and a defender, providing depth across the pitch after the Tigers continued to build momentum during the 2025 campaign.
Katelyn Rude | Goalkeeper | Memphis, Tennessee | University of Montevallo / Evangelical Christian School
Rude joins West Alabama after transferring from Montevallo. Prior to beginning her collegiate career, she starred at Evangelical Christian School in Memphis, where she helped lead the program to back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024. She spent five seasons with the Eagles and brings championship experience to the Tigers' goalkeeper unit.
Tianna Klysh | Forward | Winnipeg, Canada | Chicago State
Klysh arrives after two seasons at Chicago State, appearing in 22 matches during her collegiate career. She logged 371 career minutes and adds valuable Division I experience to West Alabama's attacking group. Her speed and work rate will provide another option in the Tigers' offensive rotation.
Kaylee Alexander | Defender | Birmingham, Alabama | Oak Mountain High School
A local product, Alexander joins the Tigers following a successful career at Oak Mountain High School. During her senior season, she appeared in 25 matches while contributing two goals and one assist from the defensive line. Her ability to defend while contributing offensively makes her a versatile addition to UWA's back line.
Ava Landers | Midfielder | Christiansburg, Virginia | University of Charleston
Landers transfers from the University of Charleston after appearing in six matches during the 2025 season. The midfielder recorded two shots, both on goal, while showcasing her technical ability in limited action. She will add depth and experience in the midfield.
Sofia Lacey | Forward | Maidenhead, England | Oakland City University
Lacey enjoyed a productive freshman campaign at Oakland City, appearing in all 18 matches with 12 starts. She totaled one goal and four assists for six points while logging more than 1,100 minutes. Her creativity and ability to generate scoring opportunities should provide an immediate boost to the Tigers' attack.
Gabriela Signorini | Midfielder/Defender | São Paulo, Brazil | West Virginia State
Signorini joins West Alabama after spending time at West Virginia State. She appeared in six matches during her sophomore season, earning a start against Salem and playing a season-high 73 minutes. Her versatility allows her to contribute to both the midfield and defensive third.
Isabella Frullaney | Midfielder | Columbus, Georgia | Point University
One of the most decorated offensive additions in the class, Frullaney transfers after totaling 15 goals and 15 assists over two seasons at Point University. She accumulated 45 career points while starting 32 of 36 matches and produced back-to-back seasons with at least 21 points. Her ability to both score and create opportunities gives the Tigers another dynamic playmaker in the midfield.
Kari Melaine Villatoro | Forward/Defender | Nacogdoches, Texas | Nacogdoches High School
Villatoro brings versatility and athleticism after excelling as a winger, wingback and forward. She played more than 800 minutes as a freshman in a 3-5-2 system and prides herself on her one-on-one ability, crossing, defending and willingness to take on multiple roles. A standout student with a 3.2 GPA, Villatoro also competed in track, showcasing the speed that translates to the soccer field.
Malena Iulietto | Goalkeeper | Quebec, Canada | Lakeshore Soccer Club
Iulietto joins the Tigers after developing with Lakeshore Soccer Club in Quebec. A dedicated goalkeeper, she trains six days a week through conditioning, field sessions and position-specific goalkeeper training while maintaining an academic average above 85 percent. Her discipline, leadership and work ethic will strengthen the Tigers' goalkeeper corps.
Sofia Isabella Jimenez Perez | Forward | Parras, Coahuila, Mexico | Pellissippi State CC / Hampton University
Jimenez Perez brings collegiate experience after playing at both Hampton University and Pellissippi State Community College. During her time at Hampton, she appeared in 13 matches with four starts while logging nearly 500 minutes. Her experience at multiple collegiate levels adds valuable depth to West Alabama's attacking options.
Allie Kimbrell | Junior | Hernando, Mississippi | Northwest Mississippi Community College
Kimbrell joins the Tigers as a junior transfer from Northwest Mississippi Community College. The Hernando, Mississippi, native brings two seasons of collegiate experience to West Alabama.
Over her career at Northwest Mississippi, Kimbrell appeared in 45 matches with 21 starts. She recorded three goals and seven assists for 13 points while attempting 31 shots and putting 14 on goal.
Kimbrell's experience and ability to contribute both as a scorer and playmaker will give the Tigers another versatile option heading into the 2026 season.
Kya Jacobs | Junior | Ontario, Canada | Alabama A&M
Jacobs arrives at West Alabama after spending the 2025 season at Alabama A&M. The Ontario, Canada, native appeared in 14 matches and earned one start.
Jacobs recorded her lone goal of the season against Prairie View on Oct. 12, finishing the campaign with two points on one shot and one shot on goal. She also logged 225 minutes during the season.
Her Division I experience gives the Tigers another experienced addition to the roster as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.
With the addition of the 12-player class, Wilson and the Tigers look to continue building on the foundation established during his first three seasons in Livingston. The combination of experienced transfers and emerging talent provides West Alabama with added depth and competition across the field.
"We're grateful they've chosen to call UWA home, and we look forward to watching them grow as student-athletes and as young women," Wilson added.
As Wilson enters his fourth season, the Tigers will look to incorporate the new additions into a roster focused on taking another step forward in the Gulf South Conference and continuing to establish West Alabama as a competitive program in the region.
The Tigers will begin preparations for the 2026 season later this summer as the newest members of the West Alabama women's soccer program join their teammates in Livingston.
