When watching South Dakota State’s volleyball team, it’s hard to miss Madison Burr, the 6-foot-1 middle blocker whose energy, competitiveness and athletic ability make her a key player for the Jacks.
From Goodhue, Minnesota to Brookings, Burr has always been an athlete.
“I’ve played volleyball since I was in second or third grade,” she said. “I also played basketball and softball through my senior year, but I just loved volleyball the most.”
Even with the chance to play softball in college, Burr chose volleyball because it “felt like home” at SDSU.
Head coach Dan Georgalas saw that athletic spark in Burr early on when scouting. He knew Burr was something special during the recruiting process.
“She’s a multi-sport athlete with versatility that shows up on the court. She can score off of one foot, off two feet, block, dig, serve, she just impacts every part of the game.”
That versatility and drive helped Burr earn Summit League Freshman of the Year last season, and her coaches say she’s only improved since. This season Burr’s improvements have got her 214 kills, 113 total blocks and a total of 297.5 points.
“Her offense is really elite for a player only in her sophomore season,” Georgalas said, sharing that there’s a phrase in the gym: ‘When Madi touches the ball, ball go boom.’
The saying highlights the incredible velocity and pure arm swing Burr has when making a play.
Assistant coach Courtney Chacone agrees, noting Burr’s all-around presence on the court.
“She does it all,” Chacone said. “But I think her blocking really stands out. She’s quick, makes fast decisions, and has great timing.”
Even with her growing list of accomplishments, Burr remains humble and firmly grounded. She embodies what Georgalas calls SDSU’s blue-collar spirit. He recalled a story from early in her recruiting days.
“We had a phone call set up once, and she had to cancel because she and her dad were out looking for a deer she’d shot,” the coach recalled. “That was definitely a first and tells you the heart of who Madison is: hardworking, down-to-earth, and she fits our culture perfectly.”
Off the court, Burr is studying construction management, a choice inspired by her family. “I wanted to do architecture first,” she said, but with volleyball time commitment, that schedule wouldn’t have worked. Her uncle owns a construction business, and she hopes to follow in his footsteps one day.
Her journey hasn’t been without setbacks. Burr tore the meniscus muscle in both knees during high school, once as a junior and again as a senior. These injuries forced her to sit out and face significant challenges.
“But it taught me mental toughness,” she said. “I think that’s the biggest thing I took away from it.”
For Burr, the key to success is confidence and perspective.
“It’s a game of mistakes,” she said. “You can’t let it get to you, but rather just roll with it and move on. The biggest thing for younger players watching is to let them see you confident and having fun.”
So far, that mindset has paid off for the Jackrabbits. They remain undefeated in conference play (14-0) and are preparing to host the Summit League Tournament on their home court November 23–25, a major advantage as they aim to win a conference title.
When asked what motivates her to keep pushing, Burr didn’t hesitate. “My parents,” she said. “They have spent so much time supporting me. My mom has only missed one home game this year and actually drives four hours with my grandma to watch. They’re my biggest fans.”
With two more years left in her college career, it’s safe to say, the ball will keep going boom.
