After a decorated playing career at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Texas, Barnes joined the Mean Green staff ahead of the 2024 fall season. She was a three-time AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention selection and three-time Southland Conference Libero of the Year at A&M-Corpus Christi. As an Islander, Barnes was named to the SLC All-Conference team in each of her four seasons before she won the national championship at the University of Texas in 2023.

She also helped lead A&M-Corpus Christi to three SLC titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances while adding three Southland All-Academic First Team selections. Barnes earned a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in kinesiology in May 2023 before her graduate transfer to the University of Texas.

Prior to her arrival in Denton, Barnes served as an assistant coach at Club Texas Volleyball in Fort Worth, Texas.

Barnes grew up in Weatherford, Texas and led Weatherford High School to two area championships and four district titles. She earned all-district honors in each of her four seasons, including the district MVP award as a junior. She was also named academic all-district each year.