SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball program has announced the addition of three transfers to its roster – Auburn Tomkinson, Sophia Wendlick, and Ava Zamora.

Auburn Tomkinson, a 6-foot-5 outside hitter from Carlsbad, Calif., brings Power Four experience to Santa Barbara after time at the University of Texas and the University of Illinois. She redshirted her freshman season at Texas before making an immediate impact at Illinois, where she made 17 starts and 28 appearances, ranking third on the team in kills (232) and blocks (68). At Carlsbad High School, Tomkinson earned 2022 AVCA Third Team All-American, AVCA All-Region, and AVCA Best & Brightest First Team honors. 

Joining her is Sophia Wendlick, a 6-foot outside hitter from Milwaukee, Wis. Wendlick arrives after beginning her collegiate career at Creighton University. Wendlick also led Divine Savior Holy Angels High School to back-to-back state championships, including a dominant 47-1 senior season that earned her team national top-15 rankings. As a senior, Wendlick led the state with 556 kills, along with adding 260 digs, 51 aces, and 48 blocks, earning First Team All-State honors.

Rounding out the group is Ava Zamora, a 5-foot-10 setter from Westview High School who transfers from Stony Brook University. Zamora made an immediate impact during her rookie season, recording 869 assists, 69 kills, and 43 aces. Additionally she earned two CAA Rookie of the Week honors, CAA All-Second Team, and CAA All-Rookie Team recognition. At Westview High School, she totaled 862 assists, 668 kills, 410 digs, 120 aces, and 98 blocks, and was a two-time First Team All-League selection and All-League Academic Scholar Honoree.

Together, Tomkinson, Wendlick, and Zamora strengthen the UCSB roster as the Gauchos compete at the top of The Big West.