LEXINGTON, Ky., Dec. 14, 2022 – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) unveiled its 2022 Division I All-America teams on Wednesday, where Howard University freshman standout Rya McKinnon was named Honorable Mention.

Earlier this month, McKinnon took home AVCA East Region Freshman of the Year, becoming the first student-athlete from an Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to earn the honor, while also being named Honorable Mention for the East Region. She also became the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) volleyball player to win Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same season since 2002.
 
In her freshman campaign, McKinnon led the conference in points (3.83 per set) and kills (3.37 per set) while leading the squad to a share of the MEAC regular-season title and first 20-win season since 2019 (20-10).

McKinnon's honor marks the fourth time a MEAC volleyball student-athlete earned Honorable Mention All-America accolades. North Carolina A&T State's Edie Brewer was named Honorable Mention All-America for the 2020 season (played in spring 2021), while Hampton's Vendula Strakova twice earned that honor, in 2013 and 2014.