Sophomore outside hitter Keonahi'ilani Solaita No. 14 has been selected to play for the American Samoa National Volleyball Team. Photo courtesy of Sacramento State Athletics

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Sophomore outside hitter Keonahi'ilani Solaita has been selected to play for the American Samoa National Volleyball Team.

Solaita and the ASA National Team will compete in the South Pacific Games Qualifiers in Guam from Aug. 3-9. Should the team qualify, participation will continue at the 2027 South Pacific Games in Tahiti in the summer of 2027. In preparation for the international tournament, the team will train this June and July.

Solaita competed with the ASA National Team in July of 2025, where she helped the team win gold at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau. She was a six-rotation outside hitter for the team at every match during the tournament.

Last season with the Hornets, Solaita was named the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year, becoming just the fourth Sacramento State player in the program’s 30-year history in the league to earn the honor. A six-rotation outside hitter, the Hesperia, Calif., native started each of the final 23 matches of the season.

She averaged 2.06 kills, 1.81 digs and 2.46 points per set. In conference play, she lifted those numbers to 2.44 kills, 2.12 digs and 2.88 points per set. Solaita registered double figures in kills on eight occasions, including 14 in a Big Sky Tournament quarterfinal win over Portland State.

Solaita played a major role in Sacramento State finishing last season with a 20-10 overall record and 12-4 in league play. The team opens the 2026 season Aug. 28-30 when it competes at a three-day tournament hosted by Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif.

Solaita is one of three Hornets to play for an American Samoa National Team. She joins Lafulafu Malepeai (softball) and alum Ali Fuamatu-Ma'afala (soccer).