Varsity soccer player and junior Kallie Mckinney verbally committed to Rice University on Jan. 15 after talking with several schools regarding her athletic and academic future. Mckinney has played for the Plant varsity soccer team since her freshmen year. 

“I’ve been playing soccer for 14 years,” McKinney said. “I just really love the competitiveness of soccer in tandem with teamwork aspect. Soccer is a way for me to constantly try and improve and there are just so many ways to be creative with my game and skills that I want to continue to develop at a higher level.” 

McKinney has been on the list of many universities and it hasn’t been easy choosing which college her talents should go to.  However, McKinney finally landed on Rice: a private research university in Houston. 

“I was mainly communicating with Rice, UChicago, and Ivy Leagues, as good academics were my main goal,” McKinney said. “I was striving for D1 soccer, and I thought that Rice had a good balance between good academics and good soccer. Rice also has the added benefit of not having frigid temperatures like the Northeast (a Floridan can only take so much cold).” 

After a successful soccer season, McKinney had a feeling Rice wanted her on their roster. McKinney scored 10 goals and 5 assists in the 2020-2021 season.  

“I’ve been interested in Rice for a while and kind of knew that we were moving in that direction, but it was still exciting and relieving to hear him actually offer.” McKinney said. 

With a year and a half left of high school McKinney has some time before having to pack up her life. However, she can hardly wait and is excited to continue her soccer career at a new campus. 

“I’m excited to meet and start bonding with the team and playing with all of them,” McKinney said. “It will be nice to get to play with a new team and new coach with a new style, just for a change. Being in Houston will be awesome too.”