Keya Luta Win Hunt, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, has earned a spot on the NCAA Division I University of St. Thomas volleyball team in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Hunt is the daughter of Shawnee Hunt and Aquila Tapio-Hunt, and the granddaughter of Rosetta and Melvin Hunt. She is also Leech Lake Ojibwe and Oglala Lakota. Under the steady leadership of longtime head coach Thanh Pham, now in his 23rd season, the continue to climb the ranks of Division I competition. There are only two NCAA Division I volleyball programs in Minnesota, one at the University of Minnesota and the other at the University of St. Thomas. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, Hunt is also Leech Lake Ojibwe and Oglala Lakota. Her presence on and off the court defined her journey since her high school days at Breck School in Golden Valley, Minnesota, where she earned IMAC Player of the Year honors. Hunt joined the as the program transitioned from Division III to Division I. Over the past three seasons, she has become a cornerstone of the team’s progress. Last season, the achieved a third-place finish in their conference. Off the court, Hunt has found balance through academics. She is majoring in Public Health and plans to graduate in spring 2026 before pursuing graduate studies in Healthcare Administration. As one of the few Native athletes in Division I volleyball, Hunt also carries a deep sense of cultural responsibility. She uses her platform to inspire younger Indigenous athletes to take pride in their identities and remain open to growth. (Photo courtesy of the Tommies.)