As a Washington State University student-athlete, Mykiaa Minniss has dreams beyond playing soccer.

The soon-to-be junior defender grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and graduated from Doherty High School. She said being the second youngest of five siblings has helped shape who she is. Minniss said she is used to fighting for what she wants, soccer included.

She chose to play for Washington State University based on her first impression while visiting the campus.

"I just felt like there was no one else that wanted me, like I walked on campus and thought this is where I have to be," Minniss said.
           
Aside from practice and games, Minniss spends her leisure time reading and writing about her feelings.  She considers herself extroverted and has made close relationships with women on the team.  

Her pre-game rituals consist of trips to Dutch Bros Coffee in Moscow with teammates Mackenzie Frimpong-Ellertson and Kelis Barton.

"We go to Dutch Bros and jam out to music and make dance videos in the parking lot before the game," Minniss said.

Her go-to pump song is "Still Brazy" by YG, but the soccer team's tradition is to listen to "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond before games.
           
She said she uses her platform as a student-athlete to inspire others.

"I try my hardest. I think I can always improve on it," she said.

She and Barton started a black student-athlete movement. They also have connected with kids in Pullman through a program called Coug Pals, which connects elementary students with WSU student-athletes through reading and writing.
           
Minniss is confident in her future.

"I'm going to enter the draft. I'm going to try my hardest to do grad school online and I want to be a speech pathologist," she said.