Gonzaga Women's Soccer Lands Washington State Transfer Kalia Franklin, Sets Up Sister Reunion

Kalia Franklin, a dynamic forward from Hawaii, is transferring from Washington State University to Gonzaga University and will join the Bulldogs' women's soccer roster for the 2026 season, reuniting with her sister Ailani.

Franklin Brings Attacking Prowess to Gonzaga

The 5-4 forward from Hilo, Hawaii, signed a financial aid agreement with Gonzaga after appearing in limited action during her time at Washington State. Franklin made one appearance for the Cougars last season, playing four minutes in a matchup at San Diego on October 4. Despite the limited playing time, her skill set caught the attention of Gonzaga head coach Kelly Benz, who expressed enthusiasm about adding Franklin to the roster.

"It was a no brainer to add Kalia to the roster, especially with sisters getting the chance to play together," Benz said. "Her dynamic, attacking style of play elevates our group and brings an exciting edge to the attack."

Franklin will arrive at Gonzaga as a sophomore in 2026, ready to make an immediate impact on the Bulldogs' offensive attack. Her versatility and speed in the attacking third should provide Gonzaga with an additional threat as the program continues to build its roster.

Standout Hawaii Prep Star Ready for Next Level

Before heading to the Pacific Northwest for college, Franklin was a dominant force at Waiakea High School in Hawaii. The elite prep scorer led Waiakea to three Big Island Interscholastic Federation championships and earned an all-state selection as a senior. That season, she scored 15 goals and earned Big Island Interscholastic Federation All-League Team honors, establishing herself as one of Hawaii's most dangerous attacking players.

Franklin's club soccer resume includes time with Surf Soccer Big Island, Hawaii Surf Soccer Club, and most recently Crossfire Premier out of Seattle. Playing for Crossfire's 2022-23 ECNL Girls Northwest Academy team, she competed on a squad that finished atop conference standings and reached the prestigious ECNL Round of 16, facing elite competition from across the Pacific Northwest.

Sisters United at Gonzaga

What makes Franklin's arrival particularly exciting is the opportunity to play alongside her sister, Ailani Franklin, who will be a freshman on the Gonzaga roster in 2026. The sibling connection adds a special dimension to Kalia's transfer, allowing both sisters to pursue their collegiate soccer dreams together at the same program.

The Gonzaga women's soccer program continues to strengthen its roster with talented transfers and recruits, positioning itself for sustained success in West Coast Conference competition. With Franklin's attacking prowess now in the fold, the Bulldogs are building something special for the 2026 season and beyond.

This article was created with AI assistance. Stats and results sourced from public records.