Cornell University Athletics

PRIOR TO CORNELL:
Kiran Rio joins the Big Red from Houston, Texas, where she was a versatile outside hitter and defensive specialist at St. John's School. A four-year letter winner and two-year team captain, Rio helped lead the Mavericks to the 2025 SPC 4A State Championship. She earned All-SPC and Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association (GHVCA) honors in both 2024 and 2025 and was named the GHVCA Private School Player of the Year as a senior. Her standout final season also garnered Houston Chronicle Private School Player of the Year recognition, a spot on the Houston Chronicle All-Private School Team and selection to the GHVCA All-Academic Team. Rio was a three-time AVCA Phenom honoree (2022-24), an AVCA All-American nominee in 2025 and earned AVCA Best & Brightest First Team honors. She capped her high school career by receiving St. John's prestigious Maverick Award.

PERSONAL:
Kiran Isabel Rio is the daughter of Mona and Gabriel Rio and has one older sister, Sonia. She is enrolled in Cornell's College of Engineering and plans to study information systems, sciences and technology. A native of Houston, Texas, Rio was born and raised in the city and brings a strong combination of academic achievement and athletic excellence to the Big Red. She enters Cornell undecided on a career path but is eager to explore opportunities within engineering and technology.