Ryli Burks Signs with the Roadrunners

Ryli Burks of Cassopolis Ross Beatty High School and NIVA Volleyball Club has signed her NJCAA Letter of Intent to play in the 1st Source Bank Fieldhouse for Head Coach Jenny Nate and the Roadrunners.

Nate said of Burks, "Ryli will be a major-impact player both as an attacker and as a setter for us. She is First Team All-Conference, was captain of the Rangers, and brings talent, high-level skill, and a wealth of experience from both her high school career and her NIVA Volleyball Club career where she has been a key performer for the past four years.  We are excited to have her on the SMC Volleyball Team and love signing outstanding, local talent."

Coach Kaisha Martin added, "Ryli is a playmaker.  When there is a play that needs to be executed, Ryli is someone who is going to get the job done."

Burks joins Reese Maas of Michigan Lutheran,  Kallie Solloway of Brandywine, Gia Jania of Westville, Indiana, Talan Hiemstra of Marcellus, Breanna Bara of Hebron, Indiana, plus Zyon Brazo and Kadence Bixby, both of Niles, in the 2024 SMC Volleyball recruiting class. The Roadrunners return seven players to the roster: Amanda Jones, Cadence Knight, Carlie Ritchie, Briana Russell, Abi Marquis, Anna Johnson and Josie West.

SMC Volleyball finished the 2023 season with a record of 23-13, nine wins better than 2022. The Roadrunners improved to 7-5 in the MCCAA Western Conference, placing third and again qualifying for the Great Lakes District Tournament. Individual players earned eight conference and regional awards, including All-Freshman Team, All-Conference Second Team, All-Conference First Team, All-Region Team and Player of the Year.