SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Big Sky Conference Tournament champion Sacramento State women's soccer team announced the addition of four high school standouts to the program on Friday, all signing a National Letter of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers with the Hornets.
The group is made up of three Californians in forward/defender Aryana Martinez (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), defender Ella Hersey (Folsom, Calif.), and midfielder Bailey Fuller (Loomis, Calif.), as well as goalkeeper Cynthia Waller, who hails from Chicago, Ill. All four join the Sacramento State roster for the 2025 campaign.
"I'm super excited about this year's class that will be joining our championship team," Head Coach Randy Dedini said. "We're bringing in some great players and great people who will add to the culture and chemistry of our program. I'm looking forward to see the impact they bring."
Brief bios on all three of the signees — in alphabetical order — are below.
The Hornets wrapped up their 2024 season with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament against USC, falling to the Trojans in Sunday's first-round contest in Carson, Calif. Sacramento State finished 5-7-9 overall on the season, setting a new school record for draws in the process while claiming its third Big Sky Tournament title and an NCAA postseason berth for the third time in the program's history.
At the end of the regular season, five Sacramento State players were named to the All-Big Sky team while six student-athletes were named to the Big Sky All-Tournament team, including gaining the MVP, following the Hornets' run of penalty kick victories over No. 4-seeded Northern Arizona, No. 1 Montana, and No. 2 Idaho.
BAILEY FULLER
5-5 • Midfielder
Loomis, Calif.
Del Oro HS
Placer United ECNL
Two-year varsity letter winner for the Golden Eagles entering her senior season… High school teammates with current Hornet Izzy Scott… Two-time team captain… Named to the All-Sierra Foothill League second team in 2024 as a junior… Helped Del Oro HS to CIF Sac-Joaquin Section titles as a sophomore and junior and appearances in the CIF NorCal Regional Division I championship matches in those same seasons… Won a Sierra Foothill League title as a junior with a 5-1-4 record… Her parents are Devin and Kristi Fuller… She has a sister, Madison, who also plays soccer… Intends to major in nursing at Sacramento State with plans on becoming a NICU nurse after graduation… Played club soccer for Placer United for the last five years, helping the club to a 2023 Surf Cup championship.
Head Coach Randy Dedini: "Bailey is a fun player to watch because she is so intelligent with her movements and her creativity as a midfield player. A technical player with great vision and ability to spread the ball around, she will add to our already very good midfield group."
ELLA HERSHEY
5-5 • Defender
Folsom, Calif.
Folsom HS
Placer United ECNL
Two-year varsity letter winner for the Bulldogs entering her senior season… Named to the All-Sierra Foothill League second team in 2024 as a junior… Her parents are Mike and Tracy Hershey… Has a brother, Chase, who plays baseball… Intends to major in health science at Sacramento State with a minor in business… Played club soccer for Placer United ECNL for four years after playing four years for San Juan SC… Earned U16/17 Northern California All-Conference first team honors in 2023-24.
Head Coach Randy Dedini: "Ella is a tough and gritty defender who has a great feel for the game. Her soccer IQ and physical gifts will allow her to compete and play at multiple positions for us."
ARYANA MARTINEZ
5-7 • Forward/Defender
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Rancho Cucamonga HS
Legends FC ECNL
Enters her senior season for the Cougars in 2024-25… Baseline League Offensive MVP as a sophomore in 2022-23… Four-year scholar-athlete… Second-team All-Baseline League selection as a sophomore in 2023… Parents are David and Angelica… Intends to major in architecture at Sacramento State… Has been playing soccer since she was three years old… Played club soccer for Legends FC ECNL in 2024-25… Helped her SC Blues club to an ECNL Southwest Championship in 2020-21… 2021 ECNL U14 finalist with the SC Blues.
Head Coach Randy Dedini: "Aryana is a very good soccer player with a versatile skill set. She plays with great composure and makes excellent decisions with the ball. Aryana's experience and abilities should lend to a smooth transition to the college game."
CYNTHIA WALLER
5-11 • Goalkeeper
Chicago, Ill.
Lane Tech HS
Total Soccer Training
Enters her senior season having played three years of both soccer and basketball in her prep career… Named to the all-city, all-section, and all-state teams as a junior in 2023-24… Has helped Lane Tech HS to three city championships and a pair of regional titles… School made back-to-back appearances in the sectional final — the first-time ever for the school — in 2022-24… Finished with 12 saves against Evanston in the sectional semifinal in 2023-24… Posted a 0.72 goals against average, 73 saves, and 12 shutouts as a junior in 2023-24… Parents are John and Genevieve Waller… Intends to major in history or political science with a minor in music at Sacramento State.
Head Coach Randy Dedini: "Cynthia is an exciting player who brings a lot of upside to the position. She has an ideal goalkeeper frame, strong hands, and athletic qualities. With her basketball and goalkeeping background, she does an excellent job tracking high balls and extending to make big saves. She'll be a great addition to our strong goalkeeper group."
