Two credentials from this summer stand out. She won gold at the FIVB Girls U17 World Championship with the USA National Team and has also been named MVP of the 14 Open division at USAV GJNC. Those are not regional accomplishments. They are national ones and they belong to a player who has been earning them since she was competing at 13 Open. I have ranked her third overall and the top libero in the Texas 2029 class and specifically noted she looks born to play the position. Her 4.9 digs per set career average reflects a player who is almost always in the right place before the ball gets there, which is the defining quality of an elite back row defender at any level. The platform mechanics she brings to first contact give her setter location rather than just a ball to work with and that detail separates productive liberos from truly impactful ones. The ranking movement is the right recognition at the right time and the 2029 class nationally should be paying attention to what she does this fall. Please help us congratulate her on earning this well deserved recognition.

Please welcome Brynli Burgess Brynli Burgess 5'8" | DS/L McKinney North | 2029 State TX to the State Ranking List. We have her currently listed as the fourth best overall player and the top libero in the 2029 class. She is a 5’8″ libero who plays at McKinney North High School and also for Skyline Juniors Volleyball Club . We have been studying this young lady since we were introduced to her this past summer at one of our showcases. There are so many categories that make a solid high level libero and when we compared all of the tremendously gifted players throughout the entire state, Miss Burgess’ name rose to the top of the list in every category. Some players were just born to play their position and that is exactly what we see when we watch her perform at a high level. Her posture while passing and playing defense is superb and it helps her stay incredibly consistent. Another aspect of her play that stands out is how the ball rebounds off her platform as she delivers it to her setter. She has a soft natural touch on the ball and creates some really amazing angles no matter where the ball is contacted. Defensively, she is simply a genius in the back row and keeps her team alive in countless rallies.

Brynli put on a clinic at the Tour of Texas Austin Stop, showing the kind of performance that makes evaluators take notice immediately. From what I saw this weekend, she has the potential to emerge as the top libero in her entire age group. Some athletes simply look born to play a certain position, and Burgess fits that description perfectly at libero. Her footwork is sharp and efficient, her body posture stays disciplined through contact, and her platform angles consistently send the ball right back to target. What truly separates her, though, is how early she reads the game—often positioning herself correctly before the opposing hitter even contacts the ball. She pairs elite hand-eye coordination with quick-twitch explosiveness, allowing her to dig hard-driven attacks that most players simply can’t touch. In serve receive, she is calm and confident, handling pace and movement with a soft, controlled touch. Burgess is fast, instinctive, and always in the right spot, making the game look slow around her. When the Prep Dig Texas State Rankings for her class are released next month, she is poised to be recognized as one of the premier liberos in the state, because everything about her game screams elite.

Miss Burgess is currently an unranked prospect in the 2029 class according to our Texas State Rankings but that is only because we have not released them yet.  She plays volleyball at McKinney North High School and also for the Dallas Skyline volleyball club.  Having a back row defender that is five foot nine inches tall really helps your defense and serve receive.  She can cover so much ground and take up plenty of space so that her teammates can operate in only their zone with confidence.  I love watching her play defense because she has some awesome court vision and even better reflexes to react to deflections and surprise off-speed shots from opposing attackers.  This young lady was born to play defense and it is such a sight to see for volleyball purists like myself.  I cannot wait to rank the liberos for this class because she will be setting the bar quite high in the position.  Stay tuned to see where she falls on the State Ranking List.  Please help us congratulate her on earning a Top Performer award at our showcase.