Cal Poly Beach Volleyball Welcomes Two New Recruits to Class of 2025
12/9/2024 12:59:00 PM | Beach Volleyball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly beach volleyball head coach Todd Rogers announced that two new recruits for the class of 2025 have signed with the Mustangs. Both players will arrive on campus in the fall of 2025 to continue their athletic and academic careers at Cal Poly.
The signees include Brinza Burness (Phoenix, AZ) and Melaina McKelvey (Lawrenceville, GA).
“I'm really happy and proud to announce our 2025 class,” Rogers said. Brinza Burness and Melaina McKelvey are exceptional athletes and are going to thrive here at Cal Poly both in the classroom and on the Swanson Family Beach Courts. I'm looking forward to coaching them next September!"
More about the signees:
Brinza Burness
Phoenix, AZ
Burness, a standout player from Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, AZ, has been a key player for her teams over the past few years. During her high school years, she helped her team go 10-3 in 2022, 11-2 in 2023, and 11-2 in 2024. She was named Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and Player of the Year as a junior. She also excelled academically, maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout high school.
On the club side, she played for Dune Beach Volleyball and trained with top coaches. At 5 '11”, Brinza is known for her strong jumping ability and versatility, able to contribute both as a blocker and defender.
Coach Rogers commented: "Brinza is a physical athlete who's father played some ball on the sand. She hails from Phoenix, AZ where she has played for several clubs and some great coaches. Brinza is a physical 5 '11 as she jumps very well and can both block and defend. She is an excellent student as well and will fit right into our team culture of crushing it both on the sand and in the classroom."
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— Cal Poly Beach Volleyball (@calpolybeach) November 20, 2024
Excited to announce our first signee for the class of 2025 is Brinza Burness from Phoenix, AZ! Brinza attends Desert Vista HS and plays club for Dune Beach Volleyball.
Welcome, Brinza!#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/SdIMVmydOA
Melaina McKelvey
Lawrenceville, GA
McKelvey comes to Cal Poly from Mountain View High School in Lawrenceville, GA, where she lettered in varsity volleyball as a freshman and earned Second Team All-County honors as a sophomore. She recorded 72 kills, 221 attacks, and 57 digs during her sophomore season (2022–2023) and helped her team reach the Sweet 16 in the state playoffs as a freshman and the first round as a sophomore. Her strong performances earned her Second Team All-County honors as a sophomore. She has also been a dedicated member of the Georgia Beach club team and brings strong experience and passion for the sport.
Outside of volleyball, she has been an active leader at her school and in her community, participating in the Science National Honors Society (SNHS) and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). She also co-leads a Bible study group and works as a kennel technician at a local veterinary clinic.
Coach Rogers commented: "Melaina is a 5 '10 athlete who will most likely be a defender but has the physical tools to be able to block if that is where the team needs her. She is a great student as well and will thrive here at Cal Poly. She hails from the Atlanta, Georgia area and was coached by former pro players Kevin & Allison McColluch."
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— Cal Poly Beach Volleyball (@calpolybeach) December 4, 2024
Excited to announce we've added Laina McKelvey to the class of 2025! Laina is from Fort Walton Beach, FL, attends Mountain View HS and plays club for Georgia Beach.
Welcome, Laina#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/sYipB8J1Le
