LEXINGTON, Ky., Dec. 6, 2022 – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) unveiled its 2022 Division I All-Region Teams where Howard University freshman standout Rya 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.
 
Additionally, the Alabama native received AVCA East Region Honorable Mention after becoming 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.

She is also the first Bison to receive honorable mention since 2018 (Tamia Dockery).
 
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).
 
In the East Region, Louisville graduate Claire Chaussee won Player of the Year, while the Cardinals' head coach Dani Busboom took home Coach of the Year.