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SportsHesperia3 min read

Oak Hills Alum Earns International Volleyball Honor

Oak Hills alum Nona Solaita earns selection for American Samoa volleyball after a standout freshman season at Sacramento State.

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OHHS Star Builds on NCAA Freshman Honors

Hesperia, California (High Desert News Online) – Oak Hills High School graduate Keonahi’ilani “Nona” Solaita continues to elevate High Desert athletics onto the international stage after being selected to represent American Samoa in international volleyball competition. The Class of 2025 alumna’s latest milestone follows a standout freshman season at Sacramento State, where she earned 2025–2026 NCAA Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year honors after transitioning from one of Hesperia Unified School District’s most accomplished student-athletes to a rising collegiate star.

Top Areas Covered:

  • American Samoa international volleyball selection
  • Sacramento State NCAA Freshman of the Year recognition
  • Oak Hills High School athletic legacy
  • Academic achievement and student success
  • Hesperia Unified School District athletic history

From High Desert Standout to International Competition

Solaita’s selection to represent American Samoa marks another major achievement for a High Desert athlete competing at increasingly higher levels of play. Her rapid rise from Oak Hills High School standout to NCAA award winner underscores the pathway local athletes can take from regional competition to national and international recognition.

At Sacramento State, Solaita quickly established herself as one of the top young players in the Big Sky Conference. Her 2025–2026 Freshman of the Year recognition reflects an immediate impact at the collegiate level, a transition many talented high school athletes struggle to make.

Before arriving in the NCAA ranks, Solaita built a reputation as one of the most decorated volleyball players in Oak Hills High School history.

A Record of Success at Oak Hills High School

During her time with the Oak Hills Bulldogs, Solaita accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments that helped define a strong era for OHHS volleyball.

Her achievements included back-to-back Mojave River League Athlete of the Year honors, culminating with the 2025 award. She also helped lead Oak Hills High School to a CIF-Southern Section Volleyball Championship appearance, placing the Bulldogs among Southern California’s elite programs.

Her senior campaign earned All-CIF recognition, while her overall body of work secured the 2024–2025 HUSD Athlete of the Year title, recognizing her as the district’s top all-around athlete.

The success of Oak Hills volleyball has long been a point of pride for the High Desert sports community. Over the years, local programs across Hesperia Unified School District have produced competitive teams and collegiate athletes, reflecting the district’s investment in athletics alongside academics.

Strong Performance in the Classroom

Beyond athletics, Solaita distinguished herself academically, graduating from Oak Hills High School with a 3.87 cumulative GPA.

The balance between academic excellence and athletic performance remains a cornerstone of Hesperia Unified School District’s philosophy. The district, which serves students across San Bernardino County’s High Desert communities, promotes a student-centered approach aimed at preparing graduates for future academic, professional, and athletic opportunities.

HUSD’s long-standing mission, “Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s World,” has emphasized building programs that combine competitive athletics with classroom achievement — an approach reflected in Solaita’s accomplishments.

Regional media attention has continued to follow Solaita’s development, highlighting growing interest in local athletes reaching collegiate and international competitio

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Jessie Mendez

Jessie Mendez is a senior national sports reporter for Times Media Service, based in the Houston bureau. Mendez covers sports nationwide, from high school athletics and college commitments to professional leagues, international competition and the business of sports. Mendez holds a master's degree in journalism and multimedia communication and grew up in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Write to Jessie