Rya McKinnon is the volleyball version of Zoe Saldaña's Colombian character: graceful, charming, chill, and calculating with an assassin's mentality. During her decorated career, the Howard University junior transformed the volleyball court into her personal playground, doing essentially what she wanted whenever she pleased.
Her outstanding three years as a Bison have been nothing short of historic. With accolades continuing to pour in, McKinnon has consistently elevated the standard of excellence. McKinnon is happy but not comfortable with her packed portfolio of achievements because she wants more.
She's the kind of player who will have stories told about her extraordinary exploits for generations to come.
"I am proud of just my legacy I'm trying to leave here," McKinnon said. "I'm doing a lot of firsts for this Howard volleyball program. So, I feel like I'm really, really proud of that. When I first came in as a freshman and began meeting with (Howard head volleyball coach Shaun Kupferberg), I told him I wanted to break records. That's really what I wanted to do here. So, and I feel like I'm doing that pretty well."
She said that without a trace of arrogance. The humble McKinnon spoke with a clinical detachment, her words precise and measured. She's locked in on her goal of being the best beyond Howard and playing professionally once she earns her computer science degree.
While she had time to reflect and enjoy being named the first three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year since 1988 and earning an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American honorable mention selection, McKinnon is far from satisfied.
McKinnon raises the bar with every kill, not just for herself but for volleyball players everywhere. She has become the standard against which greatness is measured—a force of nature whose name will resonate long after the final whistle blows.
Her numbers have made a mathematician smile.
- 1,064 career kills.
- 632 career digs.
- .257 career hitting percentage.
- 23 career double-doubles.
- 12 matches with at least 20 kills, including a career-high 30 against George Mason as a sophomore.
"I was definitely like, wow," McKinnon said, being the first three-time Player of the Year. "This is crazy. I'm doing this, but I just wanted to be that trailblazer … to keep up my work, and I don't want to stop here. I want to keep improving and being kind to the standard."
Diligently and intentionally, McKinnon is preparing to return for her senior season stronger and better, which is scary considering that she led the MEAC in kills per game for a third straight season and was 25th nationally this season. While most mortals marvel at McKinnon's nightly brilliance and showstopping performances, McKinnon looks at film differently, searching for the tiniest mistake so she can improve it and gain a mental edge.
McKinnon's impact isn't confined to Howard. Opponents study hours of film, futilely seeking solutions to neutralize her. Yet, time and again, she adapts—varying her angles, finessing shots over blockers, or hammering cross-court hits that skim the sideline with impossible accuracy, resulting in crowd-pleasing points or momentum-seizing strikes.
The 5-foot, 11-inch McKinnon is a giant in every sense of the word. She smashes volleyballs with a ferocity that leaves opponents dazed and fans in awe. McKinnon's name has become synonymous with dominance, as each time she prepares to strike, an anticipatory buzz energizes the gym. Fans know something special will occur once she receives the ball. Competing with a calmness that chills opponents, her explosive jump defies gravity. Her changing medley of powerful swings befuddles opponents. When her hand connects with the ball, the crack of the hit echoes like a thunderclap. The ball rockets past defenders, a blur of raw power and precision, often leaving blockers stunned and spectators on their feet.
"I'm probably my biggest critic," McKinnon said. "I try to have that balance and say, 'Oh, I have improved.'… I can tell there's a big improvement in my game. I still can pinpoint the things I need to work on, and I feel like that's always a good thing because I always want to get better."
McKinnon's growth as a leader is as impressive as her on-court performance. From a shy player who let her game do the talking, she has evolved into a steadying force for the Bison, both on and off the court. Her leadership, confidence, and skills have all seen significant growth since her arrival at The Mecca, and she now plays a crucial role in guiding and inspiring her teammates.
McKinnon has always been motivated along with a tower of power ever since she started playing volleyball in the third grade. She was too tall for gymnastics, her first love. Of course, she's the perfect height for volleyball. The volleyball world is forever grateful that McKinnon's cousin, Bria Smith, got her interested in the sport. McKinnon's parents, LaShana and Ronald, did the rest from there by driving her to and from numerous tournaments, matches, and showcase events.
McKinnon is giving back by hosting volleyball clinics, impacting the next generation, and making a significant difference in the community through her leadership. Her life positively changed this past summer when she participated in the Howard volleyball program's trip to Africa, where she emphasized gratitude for basic necessities like water. McKinnon's leadership extends beyond the court, as she actively participates in community service and outreach programs. Her influence has inspired many young athletes and her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others is a showcase of her dedication to grow the game as well as her character and values.
A team-bonding trip earlier this year to Botswana, Africa, during which the Bison went on safari expeditions, visited Victoria Falls, one of the world's wonders, and explored different cultural experiences helped the team become closer. The trip was not just about sightseeing, but also about learning and growing together. They also did plenty of community service, which resonated with the residents, as many of them still are in touch with Bison players through social media. The trip was a transformative experience for McKinnon and her teammates, strengthening their bond and broadening their perspectives.
"When we first were told that we might go to Africa, I was a little bit skeptical," McKinnon said. "I've never really been that far out of the country, and having to be on a flight for 26 hours sounded insane to me … That was probably the best trip I ever had. … It was just amazing, just seeing how we live and how they live. It was life-changing. It just puts everything in perspective and to be grateful for everything you have. When we were in Africa, we couldn't even drink water. We always had bottled water. We couldn't drink it out the sink or faucet."
McKinnon is shining during an era of long-overdue investment in women's sports and social media attention. She can now dream of taking her talents to the next level. She's happy that there are more eyes on the sport than ever before. An elite performer, McKinnon was recruited by Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) schools, one of which is ranked in the top nationally in the latest poll, before making the great decision to attend The Mecca.
In a 2022 interview with hubison.com, McKinnon said she wanted to attend a school out of state, play for a competitive volleyball program with a strong academic reputation, and be a role model for other Black kids so that they could attend an HBCU and succeed.
"I love to see the growth of volleyball and just women's sports in general," McKinnon said. "I feel like it started with basketball, and now volleyball is up on the rise, and I'm glad it's getting the recognition it deserves. I feel like volleyball is honestly the most interesting and fun sport to watch, and it's inside. I don't understand why people don't watch it anymore, but I love seeing it. I think it's cool. And I just can't wait to see how's it going to grow in the future."
McKinnon's immediate future is winning the MEAC Tournament next season. It's the only thing she hasn't accomplished yet on her fantastic list. McKinnon's not afraid to say the quiet part out loud when announcing her goals. Howard dropped a thrilling and ultimately heartbreaking 3-2 decision to Delaware State in one of the best championship matches ever as both teams went toe-to-toe like a pair of heavyweight boxers trading punches in the center of the ring.
While the result didn't go McKinnon's way, she was proud of Howard's effort and the opportunity to play in such a high-level match inside Delaware State's Memorial Hall, a challenging environment where fans are on top of the action. McKinnon is a competitor with 18 kills, eight digs, and a .273 hitting percentage against the Hornets. She lived for those moments and dreamed of them while growing up in Bessemer, Alabama.
"Their fans are always heckling you," McKinnon recalled in admiration. "It's always loud, but honestly, I love that environment. I thrive off that. If they're going to talk smack, that's going to turn me up and get me going … It was a good match. It wasn't how we wanted to finish, but it was a five-set, high-competition, good match. Credit to Delaware State because they played the best I've seen them play. It was a fun environment, but it can also be tough sometimes, like serving because people are behind you and yelling. It's hard to focus. I mean, I feel like we played pretty well."
McKinnon's leadership extends beyond her devastating spikes; she sets the tone with her relentless work ethic, inspiring her teammates to rise to her level of excellence while redefining what winning looks like. A stellar student, McKinnon is also leaving her mark in the classroom as a three-time All-MEAC academic selection. She's just as proud of her scholastic accomplishments as she continues to rewrite Howard's record book.
McKinnon will walk off the court knowing she gave everything when the whistle blows for the last time and the lights dim on her collegiate career. She's not just walking into the annals of volleyball history; she's stepping into the hearts of those she's inspired. She's fueled them to dream bigger, work harder, and attack every task with persistent passion.
After all, it's been the foundation of McKinnon's excellence.
"Any dream is not a crazy dream," McKinnon said. "Any goal you set, if you think and believe you can reach it, it can happen. Just dream big, and don't let anybody doubt you. If this is what you want, go out there and get it, and you can get it."
