Tya (Harmon) Keys is “one of the best, if not the best, all around volleyball player in Oakland City University history,” as described by longtime OCU coach Patti Buchta, who coached then Tya Harmon all four seasons she played in college.



A standout athlete at Barr- Reeve High School, Harmon was recruited by many college programs, but chose to become a Mighty Oak. “Two of my Barr-Reeve teammates (Haley Taylor and Cori Cummings) were already here. As soon as I visited I really liked coach Buchta and the campus. I loved the whole team,” remembered Tya.



The only two-time NCCAA All-American in volleyball, she earned second team honors in 2014, followed by first team honors in 2015. She also is the only two-time NCCAA All-Tournament Team recipient, also in 2014 and 2015. She was named to the NCCAA All-Region Team all four years, earning four trips to compete at the NCCAA National Tournament with region championships in 2012 and 2013 while advancing with at-large selections the other two years.



She compiled 1,196 kills, hitting 29.3% for her career. She also set the record for career digs with 1,712 despite playing all the way around. Her career saw 268 blocks while totalling 126 service aces along with a 94.4% reception percentage; a true all-around player.



“For me, it has always been about the team. I had a lot of great teammates and they helped me get the honors I have received,” said Tya. “Oakland City University volleyball was great to be a part of. I am very blessed to be joining the hall of fame.”



The Mighty Oaks women’s volleyball program is also retiring Tya’s number one jersey, which will join the other retired numbers hanging in the Johnson Center. Her jersey number is the first to be retired by the Mighty Oaks women’s volleyball team.



Tya earned her degree in Human Biology. She is married to Paul Keys, a former Mighty Oaks soccer standout, and the two live in Glasgow, Scotland, where she works in a chemistry lab and still plays competitive volleyball when possible.