When Fresno State Women’s Soccer announced the signing of Abigail “Abby” Herren, the Valley did not just gain another college athlete; it kept one of its most dynamic players exactly where she belongs: home. For years, local fans have watched Herren carve up backlines with that mix of speed, timing and pure audacity that defines elite attackers such as Abby. Now she’s bringing all of that to the Bulldogs.

The move feels bigger than a standard signing. Fresno State did not just add talent, they added identity.

Fresno Christian Girls’ Soccer Head Coach Matt Markarian reflects on how important Herren was to the program during her time on the team.

“Abby was a blessing to coach. She showed up every day and led with her effort in training,” Markarian said. “When it came to game time, we always knew we could count on her to make a play when the team needed it most. 

Herren’s rise has been anything but quiet. At Fresno Christian, she became the player everyone was tracking; defenders, coaches, local media, you name it. Her senior year statistics read like she was up against rookie difficulty: 32 goals, 22 assists, League MVP, four-time first team all-league for NWSC (Northwest Sequoia league).

That’s dominance with receipts.

She became a huge part in turning FC into a scoring engine, often leading the tempo of entire matches. Whether she was slipping through defenders, timing a run perfectly or dropping a pass into a window no one else saw; Herren was the heartbeat of the team.

If Herren could give any piece of advice to any current high school players, it would be as follows. 

“In college it’s very hard. You question a lot. Just remember it is a game and enjoy it for what it is,” Herren said. “Believe in what you can do, even if you’re having a rough game or a rough practice, just shake it off.”

Local awards followed and recognition piled up. But anyone who watched her knew it was not just talent; it was heart. Abby plays like every touch matters.

Herren sharpened her game even further through her club teams with Albion SC Central Valley as well as Fresno Freeze; two environments known for demanding more from their players. In those systems, she was not just scoring; she was learning different formations, different responsibilities, and different demands. 

That combination: high school production, club development and national recognition, is exactly why she became a priority prospect.

On Nov. 12, 2024, Head Coach Brian Zwaschka officially announced Herren’s commitment. For her, the opportunity blended opportunity with meaning. Staying in Fresno meant competing at the Division 1 level in front of family, friends and the community that watched her grow into a standout player. It also meant joining a program that’s building with intention.

Herren’s first year at Fresno State had all of the classic freshman challenges: faster opponents, sharper tactics, tighter spaces and a schedule packed with physical battles. But instead of playing scared, she leaned into it. Every week, she became settled, more confident and more like the player that they recruited her to be. 

To capture the full picture, she walked through some key moments and emotions from year one.

“The three words I would use to describe my first season would be crazy, exciting, and exhausting,” Herren says. “Going into college is very different from high school. You’re like ‘Oh my goodness; I’m really here and I’m on this field right now,’ It’s so awesome.”

In past interviews, Herren has mentioned that she does not want to stop at college soccer; she wants to keep going after. That future minded mindset is exactly what programs need in locker rooms. Players who think long term tend to raise the standard for everyone else.

As Herren arrives on campus as No. 16, she arrives not just as another recruit, but as a player built for impact. Fresno State is betting big on speed, creativity and homegrown toughness; and Herren fits that blueprint perfectly.

“I was always a quick player in high school, but now at this level I’m just kind of quick,” Herren said. “So that was a little shocking. But honestly, you get used to it. I feel like I adapted quickly.”

There is real potential for Abby to become one of defining players of Fresno State’s next era. And if her past says anything; she’s ready to take that role head on.

Fresno State wanted firepower. They signed a spark that might just turn into a torch.

For more from The Feather, read Basketball drives into seasons of growth or Cross Country competes at the Northwest Sequoia League Championships.