Gonzaga Women's Soccer Lands Washington State Transfer Kalia Franklin, Setting Up Sister Duo

Franklin Brings Dynamic Attacking Style to Spokane

Kalia Franklin has committed to Gonzaga University's women's soccer program as a transfer from Washington State University, adding firepower to the Bulldogs' attack while reuniting with her sister on the roster.

The 5-foot-4 forward from Hilo, Hawaii, signed a financial aid agreement with Gonzaga and will join the team for the 2026 season. Franklin's arrival marks a significant recruiting win for the program, particularly because her younger sister, Ailani Franklin, will be a freshman on the Gonzaga roster in 2026, giving the siblings the rare opportunity to play college soccer together.

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

Standout High School Pedigree and WSU Experience

Franklin comes to Gonzaga with an impressive resume from Waiakea High School on Hawaii's Big Island. She led the Waiakea Warriors to three Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) championships, including a state championship appearance during her senior season. As a senior, she was named an all-state selection after scoring 15 goals and earning a spot on the BIIF All-League Team, establishing herself as one of Hawaii's elite prep soccer prospects.

After high school, Franklin attended Washington State University, where she made one appearance for the Cougars last season, playing four minutes in a match at San Diego on October 4. While her time in Pullman was limited, the transfer gives her a fresh start at Gonzaga where she'll have the opportunity to showcase the attacking prowess that made her a standout at the prep level.

Club Soccer Development and Road to Gonzaga

Franklin's development path included stints with multiple elite club programs. She initially played with Surf Soccer Big Island before moving to Hawaii Surf Soccer Club on Oahu. Most recently, she competed for Crossfire Premier out of Seattle, one of the Pacific Northwest's premier youth soccer organizations. During the 2022-23 season, Crossfire's ECNL Girls Northwest Academy team finished atop the conference standings and reached the ECNL Round of 16, providing Franklin with high-level competition against top-tier regional talent.

The addition of Franklin signals Gonzaga's commitment to building a competitive women's soccer program with players who can make an immediate impact. With Ailani joining as a freshman and Kalia as a sophomore in 2026, the Franklin sisters will have the chance to grow together in Spokane while competing in the West Coast Conference. Gonzaga's women's soccer program continues to attract talented players from across the country, setting up what should be an exciting future for the Bulldogs.

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