Seven Bulldogs Selected To National Team Player Pools
April 07, 2026 | Softball
STARKVILLE – Seven current, former or future Mississippi State softball players have been named to either the United States or American Samoa Women's National Team player pools. Both nations will compete at the USA Softball International Cup from July 30-Aug. 3 in Oklahoma City this summer.
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Team American Samoa, led by MSU head coach Samantha Ricketts, has named six Bulldogs to its player pool. The group is headlined by Chloe Malau'ulu, who won gold at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau last July with American Samoa. She is joined by fellow Bulldog alumni Fa Leilua and Matalasi Faapito. Current senior Kiarra Sells and her sister, sophomore Kalani Sells, have been tabbed to the pool along with incoming signee Taylor Faga.
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Over the last decade, MSU has always had at least one player with Samoan heritage on the roster. Ricketts' connection to the island and its familial culture has brought seven American Samoan players to Mississippi since 2016 with as many as four on the same roster in 2023.
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Meanwhile, Sierra Sacco was tabbed to the U.S. pool after playing with the national team in the 2025-26 Team USA Down Under Series where she made her debut in Red, White and Blue. The Americans have already qualified to host the 2026 WBSC World Cup Group Stage in Oklahoma City in September as well.
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International play this summer will help countries in the qualification process for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics when six nations, including the host United States, will compete off-site in Oklahoma City. The remaining five qualifiers for the Olympic tournament will be determined by the 2027 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup, regional championships and a last-chance qualifier tournament.
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American Samoa has also already committed to play at the Canada Cup in Surrey, British Columbia on July 6-12, which will mark Ricketts' first games leading the squad and could be the international debut for as many as five State athletes.
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Ricketts is the second MSU head coach to coach a national team, joining former head coach Jay Miller. Former MSU All-American Iyhia McMichael also serves a coach for the United States U-15 Girls National Team. To date, total of 16 Bulldog players have represented six counties on the international stage along with current assistant coach Zac Shaw, who captains the United States Men's National Team.
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For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
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Team American Samoa, led by MSU head coach Samantha Ricketts, has named six Bulldogs to its player pool. The group is headlined by Chloe Malau'ulu, who won gold at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau last July with American Samoa. She is joined by fellow Bulldog alumni Fa Leilua and Matalasi Faapito. Current senior Kiarra Sells and her sister, sophomore Kalani Sells, have been tabbed to the pool along with incoming signee Taylor Faga.
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Over the last decade, MSU has always had at least one player with Samoan heritage on the roster. Ricketts' connection to the island and its familial culture has brought seven American Samoan players to Mississippi since 2016 with as many as four on the same roster in 2023.
Â
Meanwhile, Sierra Sacco was tabbed to the U.S. pool after playing with the national team in the 2025-26 Team USA Down Under Series where she made her debut in Red, White and Blue. The Americans have already qualified to host the 2026 WBSC World Cup Group Stage in Oklahoma City in September as well.
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International play this summer will help countries in the qualification process for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics when six nations, including the host United States, will compete off-site in Oklahoma City. The remaining five qualifiers for the Olympic tournament will be determined by the 2027 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup, regional championships and a last-chance qualifier tournament.
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American Samoa has also already committed to play at the Canada Cup in Surrey, British Columbia on July 6-12, which will mark Ricketts' first games leading the squad and could be the international debut for as many as five State athletes.
Â
Ricketts is the second MSU head coach to coach a national team, joining former head coach Jay Miller. Former MSU All-American Iyhia McMichael also serves a coach for the United States U-15 Girls National Team. To date, total of 16 Bulldog players have represented six counties on the international stage along with current assistant coach Zac Shaw, who captains the United States Men's National Team.
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For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
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