Burgess earns fourth Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honor

IRVING, Texas — BYU middle blocker Kelli Jo Burgess earned her fourth Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week award of the season, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.

Burgess once again paced the Cougars at the net, recording match-high block totals in both of BYU’s ranked wins at home this week.

The fifth-year middle blocker posted nine blocks against No. 25 Colorado before adding seven against No. 8 Arizona State.

Burgess also contributed 14 kills on a .478 hitting percentage, along with one dig. She continues to lead the nation with 1.89 blocks per set and paces the Big 12 in conference play with an average of 1.91.

The Lehi, Utah, native’s selection brings BYU’s total to six Big 12 weekly honors in 2026:

• Kelli Jo Burgess (Defensive: Week 3, Sept. 15)
• Kelli Jo Burgess (Defensive: Week 4, Sept. 22)
• Elli Mortensen (Offensive: Week 6, Oct. 6)
• Kelli Jo Burgess (Defensive: Week 6, Oct. 6)
• Kelli Jo Burgess (Starting Seven: Week 7, Oct. 13)
• Kelli Jo Burgess (Defensive: Week 9, Oct. 27)

View the full release on the Big 12 website.