For most athletes, a senior season is something to savor. For Saniya Reynolds, stepping away from it has become an opportunity to prepare for what comes next.
The Kentucky commit recently made the decision not to suit up for Cypress Ranch this fall. It wasn't a decision made lightly.
“I chose not to play this upcoming school season so I can focus on my academics and getting healthy before heading to Kentucky,” Reynolds said. “It was something I talked through with the coaches at the end of last season. Last year was really special because everyone bought in and gave everything they had. I’ll definitely be following the team and supporting my girls any way that I can.”
What a final season it was.
In 2025, Reynolds recorded a team-high 465 kills while helping guide the Mustangs to a fifth straight district title. The fall culminated in a 39-9 finish and the program's inaugural UIL State Final Four appearance, with Reynolds earning District 16-6A Co-Attacker of the Year distinction alongside teammate Sade Bello.
Now, as she prepares for the next chapter, Reynolds will spend the remainder of the summer attending Kentucky Volleyball camp and the USA National Team Development Program (NTDP).
Her rise into one of the nation's more refined hitters wasn't necessarily the path many would have predicted.
Both of Reynolds' parents were athletes who met on the basketball court, and her father, Aldric Reynolds, serves as the head basketball coach at Aldine Westfield. Yet volleyball ultimately became the avenue where she channeled her competitive nature and discovered a new side of herself.
“I knew I didn’t want to play basketball, but something clicked with volleyball when I started around 13,” she said. “At that age, I was naturally shy, and volleyball brought out the outgoing side of me that people see now—someone who can step outside of her comfort zone, make new friends, and try things I’ve never done before.”
Even as she forged her own identity in a different sport, the lessons instilled by her parents never left.
“Growing up, they’ve given me the freedom to choose what I wanted to pursue,” she said. “Once I found volleyball, they instilled in me that there’s always something you can improve on. If you’re pursuing something, go full force and don’t stop working for it. That mindset has helped me constantly train to become the best version of myself as an athlete. Volleyball is going to be there without me, so if I can be a good person beyond the sport, that’s going to take me a long way.”
That perspective is reflected in the way Reynolds approaches her position.
“Making an effort to overcommunicate is essential; there’s never a time when you don’t need to say something,” she said. “Another quality that separates great players from good ones is having a ‘goldfish mentality.’ As an outside hitter, you’ll get a lot of different touches—whether it’s hitting, digging, or passing—the ball always seems to find you. So, when I have a bad play, I let it go and move on.”
Furthermore, the maturity she carries has helped solidify her commitment to Kentucky.
“Kentucky was my first call on June 15th of last year,” she said. “I know it’s cliché, but when I stepped on campus, it felt like home. There’s so much support for the teams, the girls are competitive, and Coach Craig (Skinner)—I almost think of him like a dad because he makes you feel calm and in control. It’s going to feel like family.”
As Reynolds prepares to graduate from Cypress Ranch, the legacy she hopes to leave has little to do with kills, rankings or recruiting attention.
“I hope they remember the joy that came with volleyball,” she said. “I try to be as enthusiastic as possible, support my teammates however I can, and be a shoulder for anyone who needs one. When people look up to me, I hope they don’t just see the Kentucky volleyball player—I hope they see the girl who brings joy to the game.”