Davi Vaka

Last updated
Daviana Vaka
Personal information
Full name Daviana Cheyenne Vaka [1]
Date of birth (2001-08-11) August 11, 2001 (age 24)
Place of birth Sandy, Utah, United States
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Sporting JAX
Number 23
Youth career
–2019 Utah Avalanche
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2019–2022 BYU Cougars 47 (0)
2023–2024 Florida Gators 33 (0)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2025 Fort Lauderdale United 0 (0)
2025– Sporting JAX 1 (0)
International career
2018– Tonga 4 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of date=July 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of date=July 2025

Daviana Cheyenne Vaka (born August 11, 2001 Sandy, Utah) is a Tongan-American professional footballer who plays as a defender for Sporting JAX in the USL Super League and the Tonga women's national team. She previously played college soccer for the BYU Cougars and Florida Gators. [2]

Contents

Early life

Vaka was born and raised in Sandy, Utah, and is one of eight children, including her twin sister, Laveni. She attended Juan Diego Catholic High School, where she led her team to a Utah 3A state championship in 2016 and was named State Player of the Year. She also played club soccer with Utah Avalanche in the ECNL.

College career

BYU Cougars

Vaka began her collegiate career at Brigham Young University, initially playing as a forward before transitioning into a defender. [3] She made 47 appearances over four seasons, starting consistently from her sophomore year onward. She was named West Coast Conference (WCC) Defensive Player of the Week in October 2022. [4]

Florida Gators

In 2023, Vaka transferred to the University of Florida as a graduate student, joining the Florida Gators. [5] She started all 33 matches across two seasons and logged 2,766 total minutes. Her performance in 2023 earned her All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) First Team honors, SEC Defensive Player of the Week, United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-Southeast Region Second Team, and Florida's Defensive Player of the Year award. She completed a master’s degree in Sport Management in December 2024.

Club career

Fort Lauderdale United

Vaka signed her first professional contract with Fort Lauderdale United FC of the USL Super League in May 2025. She became the second Tongan woman to sign a professional contract, following her twin sister. [6] [7]

Sporting JAX

On July 1, 2025, Vaka signed with Sporting Club Jacksonville, commonly known as Sporting JAX, an expansion franchise in the USL Super League. [8]

International career

Vaka represents Tonga internationally and made her debut during the 2018 OFC Women's Nations Cup qualifiers in New Caledonia. She returned to the team in 2022 for the OFC Women's Nations Cup in Fiji, where she scored a goal and helped Tonga reach the quarter-finals.

Personal life

Daviana’s twin sister, Laveni Vaka, is also a professional footballer who plays for Fort Lauderdale United FC. The sisters are of Tongan descent and have been recognized for their contributions to the development of women’s football in Tonga. She is engaged to Utah State Aggies quarterback Jacob Conover. [9]

Career statistics

SeasonGamesScoring
GPGSGAPTSSHSOG
BYU Cougars
2019Redshirt – Did not participate
2020–218000010
202120000042
202219002284
Florida Gators
2023171701121
2024161601120
Career
Career Total8033044177

Honors

References

  1. "Fall 2024 Commencement" (PDF). University of Florida . Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  2. "BYU Roundup: Barcello joins Raptors; Football brings on staff additions". HeraldExtra.com. Daily Herald. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  3. Garrett, Catherine. "JDCHS girls soccer team putting in work on the field". DraperJournal.com. Draper Journal. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  4. Drew, Jay. "What's the secret to BYU's unprecedented success in NCAA women's sports this year?". Deseret.com. Deseret. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  5. Howard, Mary. "Gator Soccer Adds Transfer Daviana Vaka". FloridaGators.com. University of Florida. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  6. "#24 Daviana Vaka". FTLUTD.com. Fort Lauderdale United FC. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  7. "Tonga's second female professional soccer player Daviana Vaka joins US super league". TalanoaOTonga.to. Talanoa O Tonga. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  8. Bunker, Chase. "7 more join Sporting Jax inaugural roster". ActionNewsJax.com. Action News Jax. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  9. Vaka, Daviana. "Our love just keeps on growing and growing. I love this man so much & I can't wait to be with you forever! Fiancé 💍🤍". Instagram.com. Instagram. Retrieved 5 July 2025.