SAN FRANCISCO SIGNAL UNVEILS INAUGURAL ROSTER AHEAD OF 2027 SEASON
Founding roster brings together Bay Area standouts, Olympians, NCAA All-Americans and international superstars who will take the court under Head Coach Alfee Reft
Four Bay Area standouts are coming home to play professionally
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (July 16, 2026) — San Francisco Signal today unveiled its inaugural roster, introducing the 14 athletes who will make history as the first players to represent the Bay Area's new professional volleyball team when it begins play in League One Volleyball’s 2027 season.
Together, the inaugural roster represents six countries and brings experience from the world’s biggest stages, including three Olympians with three Olympic medals, extensive international and national team competition, five athletes who have earned league MVP honors and a combined 11 NCAA All-America selections.
The roster also marks a homecoming for four Bay Area standouts, who will have the opportunity to play professional volleyball in front of their hometown communities for the first time.
The founding roster includes:
Bay Area’s own Kelsey Cook (Santa Cruz, CA), Kari Geissberger (Greenbrae, CA), Julia Haggerty (Lafayette, CA), and Madeline Haynes (Rocklin, CA) who competed collegiately at Cal;
international superstars Halimatou Bah (Épinay-sous-Sénart, FRA), Giorgia Faraone (Galatina, Italy), Chompoo Guedpard (Nakhon, Phanom, Thailand), Wang Mengjie (Jinan, China) and Sachi “Jaja” Minowa (Cavite, Philippines); and
top American talent Carter Booth (Denver, CO), Serena Gray (Temple City, CA), Kara Hallock (Lynden, Washington), Allison Jacobs (Stevenson Ranch, CA), and Ella May Powell (Fayetteville, Ark).
“This is an incredibly talented and dynamic group of athletes, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead them for the Bay,” said Alfee Reft, Head Coach of San Francisco Signal. “Each player brings a distinct set of experiences, strengths and perspectives to our team. Our work now is to bring them together, build trust and connection, and create a team identity that reflects both how we want to compete and what we want to represent. I’m excited to begin that work and build a team that the Bay Area will be proud to call its own.”
The roster combines experience at the highest levels of international competition with some of the most exciting emerging talent in American volleyball.
Kelsey Cook (Tennessee / Nebraska), a three-time Olympic medalist and one of the most accomplished American volleyball players of her generation, is the founding athlete of the San Francisco Signal. The 2x All-American has a decorated international career that has included a decade competing overseas, plus three Olympic Games and winning gold with the United States at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Olympian Hali Bah, a dynamic outside hitter from France who adds power and national team experience to the Signal’s attacking group, having most recently played in the world-class Italian Serie A1.
Carter Booth (Minnesota/Wisconsin), the two-time All-American is one of the most exciting young middle blockers in American volleyball, brings elite size, athleticism and tremendous potential to the front line.
Italian libero Giorgia Faraone rounds out the roster with elite defensive skill, international experience and the competitive intensity that has defined her professional career. The international veteran has played the majority of her career playing for Italy’s most storied clubs.
Bay Area native Kari Geissberger (Loyola Marymount /Oklahoma) returns home after establishing herself as one of the country’s most promising young opposites. Her connection to Northern California adds another local chapter to the Signal’s inaugural roster.
Middle blocker Serena Gray (Penn State, Pitt) joins San Francisco as an accomplished collegiate champion and professional athlete known for her athleticism, efficiency and presence at the net. The All-American is a member of the US Women’s National Team.
Thai national team setter Chompoo Guedpard brings creativity, speed and extensive international experience directing the offense at the highest levels of the sport. She’s won 10 domestic championships across Thailand, Indonesia and the US.
Julia Haggerty (Boston College), a physical and dynamic middle blocker, adds strength, competitiveness and another emerging American talent to the inaugural roster. After leading the NCAA in blocks, she went on to play professionally in France.
Kara Hallock (Washington), a versatile outside hitter with extensive professional experience in the United States and abroad, brings size, athleticism and a proven ability to contribute across the court. The two-time All-American is now a member of the US Women’s National Team.
Maddie Haynes (Cal Berkeley), a powerful outside hitter, brings a strong offensive presence and competitive energy to San Francisco. Joining from LOVB Salt Lake where she played for two seasons, Maddie also has significant overseas experience.
Allison Jacobs (UCLA, Michigan), an explosive outside hitter, joins the Signal following a standout collegiate career where she also captained the US U19 National team, and represents the next generation of American professional talent.
Chinese Olympic libero Wang Mengjie brings world-class defensive ability and years of experience competing for one of international volleyball’s most successful national team programs. The two-time Olympian has played the majority of her career in China, where she’s claimed Best Libero honors.
Philippine-born Japanese middle blocker Sachi "Jaja" Minowa brings elite blocking instincts, energy and international experience to the frontcourt presence. She is a veteran of the Philippine National Team, and has won multiple “Best Middle Blocker” honors playing in Japan.
American setter Ella May Powell (Washington) adds leadership, precision and a deep understanding of the game as she’s quickly risen from a standout college setter with All-American nods to as a budding US National Team member.
“This is the first team that will ever wear ‘San Francisco Signal’ on their uniform, and that makes this roster incredibly special,” said Stephanie Martin, president and co-founder of San Francisco Signal. “These athletes are extraordinary competitors, but what excites us just as much is who they are as people: the leadership, energy, resilience and joy they will bring to our team and our community. Together with Alfee, they will have the opportunity to build our team culture, create our traditions and define what it means to represent the Bay Area. We could not be more proud to welcome them as the founding players of the San Francisco Signal.”
The inaugural athletes will arrive in the Bay Area in November to begin preparations for the 2027 League One Volleyball season.
SAN FRANCISCO SIGNAL INAUGURAL ROSTER
Halimatou Bah — Outside Hitter
Kelsey Cook — Outside Hitter
Kara Hallock — Outside Hitter
Madeline Haynes — Outside Hitter
Allison Jacobs — Outside Hitter
Kari Geissberger — Opposite
Carter Booth — Middle Blocker
Serena Gray — Middle Blocker
Julia Haggerty — Middle Blocker
Sachi “Jaja” Minowa — Middle Blocker
Chompoo Guedpard — Setter
Ella May Powell — Setter
Giorgia Faraone — Libero
Wang Mengjie — Libero
ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO SIGNAL
San Francisco Signal is the Bay Area’s professional women’s volleyball team competing in League One Volleyball (LOVB). Built with its community and backed by a women-led ownership group of athletes, founders, executives and cultural leaders, the Signal is creating a championship-caliber organization designed to advance women’s sports, inspire the next generation and bring the world’s best volleyball to the Bay Area. To learn more, visit sanfranciscosignal.com
