SAN ANTONIO – UTSA soccer head coach Derek Pittman announced on Thursday three further additions to next year’s Roadrunners roster, with the signing of transfers Ava Jackson and Kameron Kloza, as well as freshman Kiana Sparrow, to join UTSA this summer.
“We are always aiming to strengthen our roster with top players and even better human beings,” Pittman said. “These three athletes are incredibly high-character young women and highly talented performers. Each of these players addresses needs we have within our team and we can’t wait to see them in Roadrunner colors helping our team progress to new heights this fall.”
Ava Jackson
Position: Forward
Hometown: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
High School: Burnaby Central Secondary School
Previous College: Arkansas
Club Team: Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX
Quote from Pittman on Jackson: “Ava Jackson is a high-level goal scorer that brings experience from an SEC Championship environment. She developed her skills in the prestigious Whitecaps REX program in Vancouver, Canada. She is a proven winner and Ava will add much-needed talent to our front line helping our team score goals, win games and compete for championships.”
Bio: Attended Arkansas during her first collegiate season as a member of the 2023 SEC Champion Razorbacks squad … while playing with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX, helped her squad to the 2023 FIFA Blue Stars Youth Cup Championship, 2023 League 1 Canada and two League 1 British Columbia Championships (2022-23) … was the top goal scorer on her BC High-Performance League team … member of the Canada EXCEL Program as part of Canada Soccer … previously played with Fusion FC in the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League.
Kameron Kloza
Position: Defender
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
High School: LEE High School
Previous College: Texas Tech
Club Team: Classics Elite 02/03 ECNL
Quote from Pittman on Kloza: “No one is happier to have Kameron Kloza back in San Antonio than myself and her UTSA Soccer family. Kam is a tremendous center back that brings a wealth of experience and talent to our roster. Her athleticism, 1v1 defending and ability in the air make her a perfect fit for our lineup. It’s great to have a Kloza back in the 2-1-0 and wearing the Navy and Orange in the AAC."
Bio: The sister of four-year star UTSA defender Kendall Kloza and daughter of former UTSA golfer Danny Kloza … played three seasons at Texas Tech, the 2023 regular season Big 12 Champion – earning the 2023-24 Female Comeback Athlete of the Year award and garnering Academic All-Big 12 first-team honors … a three-time team captain and three-time First Team All-District 27-6A at LEE High School under coach Erik Stolhandske, adding 24 goals in addition to her command on the back line … also earned 2021 TASCO 6A All-Region First-Team honors, was a three-time All-Area Super Team selection, was named 2020 District 27-6A Co-Defender of the Year and was the District 27-6A Newcomer of the Year in 2018 while picking of Second Team All-District honors as a freshman … played club for Classics Elite 02/03 ECNL under coach Owen Collie, leading her team to an ECNL Nationals San Diego second-place finish as team captain … finished top-three in the ECNL’s Player of the Year voting and was ECNL Texas All-Conference following the 2018-19 season.
Kiana Sparrow
Position: Forward
Hometown: Aurora, Colorado
High School: Cherokee Trail High School
Club Team: Real Colorado National ECNL
Quote from Pittman on Sparrow: “Kiana Sparrow is a top 2024 talent out of Colorado that has flown under the radar and we are thankful we landed her commitment to UTSA. Kiki is an athletic, talented attacking-minded player that is excellent at creating opportunities on the dribble and can score goals and serve fantastic balls into the box for others. We are excited to have Kiki tormenting our opponents for UTSA."
Bio: Graduated this spring from Cherokee Trail High School in Aurora, Colo. … 2024 Centennial League Co-Player of the Year after leading the Cougars with seven goals in 2024 … helped CTHS to its third consecutive state playoffs appearance in 2024 … two-time Team MVP and Offensive MVP with eight goals and one assist as a junior, six goals and five assists as a sophomore … two-time CHSAA All-State Honorable Mention, three-time First Team All-Centennial League and 2023 Sentinel Colorado First Team All-Aurora honoree … a highly-awarded four-year Principal’s Honor Roll student and AP Scholar, she’s also a four-time Academic All-State First Team honoree … played club with Real Colorado National of ECNL Girls Northwest … brother, Malik, was a two-time All-Big East lacrosse player at University of Denver.
The Roadrunners will get back to work this fall, with UTSA's preseason camp starting on July 30, leading up to 2024’s first exhibition, facing Baylor at home on Sunday, Aug. 4. After a Saturday, Aug. 10 exhibition at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, the Roadrunners will host Navy in the season opener at the Park West Athletics Complex on Thursday, Aug. 15.
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