By Rubin E. Grant
The stream of accolades coming in for Hoover junior volleyball player Rya McKinnon has become a flood.
Recently, VolleyballMag.com named McKinnon to its high school All-American first team.
The Over the Mountain volleyball coaches also just voted her the 2020 OTM Player of the Year.
So, what does McKinnon think of all these honors that have come her way?
“It makes me feel really good and it really humbles me,” McKinnon said. “It makes what I put into it worthwhile.”
McKinnon, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, recorded 594 kills, 267 digs, a 2.32 passer rating and 50 aces while helping Hoover post a 50-1 record and capture the Class 7A championship, the first state volleyball title in school history.
“I heard someone say when your best player is one of your best people, you’re in good shape,” Hoover coach Chris Camper said. “Rya is a great human being. She is very unselfish and as a volleyball player, she’s the best at whatever she’s doing on the court at that moment. She’s the best passer, the best setter, the best server, the best hitter and the best defender. She’s the baseball equivalent of a five-tool player. I think she’s the best all-around player in Alabama.”
Camper was voted the 2020 OTM Coach of the Year for leading Hoover to its state title after the Bucs lost their first match of the season and then reeled off 50 consecutive victories.
“I appreciate it,” Camper said of the honor. “It’s a great feeling for myself and all the girls. We had a talented team and they dedicated themselves and put everything they had into the season.”
That last comment certainly describes McKinnon, who has been on the Bucs’ varsity since she was in the eighth grade. Her motor never stops running when she’s on the court.
“I play with a lot of passion and aggression,” McKinnon said. “I love to hit and get a kill and see everyone get excited. I’m not the tallest player, but I play like a big player.”
McKinnon has been playing volleyball since the third grade. She also plays for the NASA Volleyball Club.
“I used to do gymnastics, but I was way too tall for that,” she said with a laugh. “I just love volleyball.”
McKinnon is thrilled the Bucs finally won a state championship, especially for Hoover’s eight seniors.
“This season was mostly about our hard work and dedication,” McKinnon said. “We worked so hard. We practiced hard and were dedicated every day. With COVID, we made a lot of sacrifices. We didn’t go to homecoming and football games to lessen possible exposure. Those types of sacrifices, dedication and hard work got us to the championship.”
Even though she has another year left at Hoover, McKinnon has already decided where she’s going to college, committing to Louisville.
“Louisville has some amazing coaches and when I went there to visit, it felt just right,” McKinnon said.
McKinnon is one of four Hoover players on the 2020 All-OTM team, joining outside hitter Sydney Melton, middle hitter Gabrielle Essix and setter Aly Durban.
Mountain Brook, which won the Class 6A state title, also landed four players on the team – outside hitter Cecile Field, middle hitter Greer Golden, setter Hannah Parant and libero Evelyn King.
Homewood placed two players on the squad, middle hitter Olivia Brown and libero Sarah Smith.
Rounding out the team are Spain Park outside hitter Audrey Rothman, Oak Mountain outside hitter Landry Frisch, Altamont middle hitter Kalia Todd and John Carroll Catholic libero Amelia Regusa.
