Byrd graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Business Administration and Finance and a Minor in French. She started all four years as an outside hitter, leading the team in digs. During her career, Wisconsin was back-to-back Big Ten Champions and finished second place in the NCAA Championships in 2000. She achieved Academic All-Conference, unanimous selection to the 2002 all-conference team, Big Ten Medal of Honor Recipient, and All-American honors.

Byrd trained with the U.S. National Team in Colorado Springs in 2004 and played professionally in Germany's Bundesliga in 2005.

Born in Savannah, Ga., Byrd has three younger sisters and one younger brother. She grew up in Illinois and moved to San Diego before the 2006 season in order to train with the pros year round.