Illinois Volleyball inks 3 on National Signing Day
Players from Peoria, Illinois, Long Beach and Kansas will join the program in January
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) – Illinois volleyball has signed three players to its 2026 class, head coach Chris Tamas announced Wednesday.
Mia Lamberti of Peoria, Illinois, Cika Saolotoga-Talaga of Long Beach, California, and Sofia Simic of Hoisington, Kansas are set to join the Fighting Illini in January.
“I am very excited to add these three players to our program. They all work extremely hard and are ferocious competitors,” Tamas said. “They all embrace the Fighting Illini spirit, and we look forward to their contributions both on and off the court.”
Lamberti, a setter and opposite from Limestone Community High School, is a three-time Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association Class 3A first-team all-state selection and a two-time Journal Star Player of the Year. She was also named to the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association Girls High School All-America third team.
“Mia is an exceptional all-around player and has elevated any team that she has been on,” Tamas said. “She has smooth hands and has a good feel for the game.”
Saolotoga-Talaga, a libero and defensive specialist, helped Long Beach Poly High School win four Moore League titles. She was a three-time first-team all-league selection and a two-time Press-Telegram Dream Team selection.
“Cika has won at every level,” Tamas said. “She has great touch and a high volleyball IQ. She will be a tremendous addition to our passing and defense.”
Simic, an outside hitter from Hoisington High School, was named the 2025 Kansas Class 3A Player of the Year. She recorded more than 2,000 kills over four years and holds the state’s all-class record for aces in a single season, according to Illinois.
Simic was invited to USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program in 2025 and trained with the Serbian national team during the summers of 2025 and 2026.
“Sofia is a six-rotation player who is a proven leader and works hard to improve her game,” Tamas said. “She has a big arm and all-around skills that will add depth to our pin hitters.”
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