(FREDERICTON, NB) The Burns family connection to the UNB Reds women’s volleyball team is getting stronger.
Outside hitter Emma Burns, the 2018 Spartans Volleyball Club MVP, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent, and will join the Reds beginning in the 2019-20 season.
She’ll join her sister, setter Catherine Burns, who is currently in her first season with the team.
“I’d say the most appealing part of being able to play at UNB was the fact that I’ll get to play with my sister at the next level,” said Burns. “Catherine and I have always been very close, and we’ve always had a good setter-hitter connection on the court, and I can’t wait to be with her again next year.”
The younger Burns brings an impressive resume to the Reds.
At the club level, she was MVP for the Tommies Volleyball Club in 2014 and 2015, and Spartans MVP in 2016, as well as this past season.
Her Spartans team won a tier two gold medal at Volleyball Canada’s national championships, in Edmonton, in 2018, and earned silver at the 2018 Volleyball New Brunswick age class provincials.
She’s also been a standout hitter at Fredericton’s École Sainte-Anne.
“I’m extremely motivated and I always bring a positive attitude to the people around me, on and off the court,” said Burns. “I’m a strong hitter and I’m very smart when it comes to finishing plays and putting the ball away.”
Reds head coach Christine Biggs is excited to have another Burns joining her team.
“Emma has been a dominant player in her age group for several seasons of club and high school ball,” said Biggs. “She’s a well-rounded athlete with incredible drive. Her passion for UNB Volleyball is a welcome addition to the Reds family.”
Biggs’ excitement at having Emma join the team is matched by the older of the Burns sisters.
Catherine says the two aren’t just sisters, they’re best friends.
“I think that Emma is a very smart and tactical player who has always been great at reading the play,” said Catherine. “She can be a heavy hitter, but she also works the ball really well by using smart shots. Either way, you can always count on her to end a rally.”
Emma won’t just be joining her sister on the Reds volleyball team, she’ll also be joining her in UNB’s Faculty of Kinesiology, where, like her sister, she’ll pursue a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology Degree.