Texas Volleyball Brings Back Former Elite Recruit in Unexpected Way

After arriving at Texas as a track standout, Mackenzie Collins is returning to the volleyball court in 2026.

Dec 17, 2022; Omaha, Nebraska, US; Texas Longhorns middle blocker Kayla Caffey (28) and outside hitter Madisen Skinner (6) celebrate after winning a point against the Louisville Cardinals at CHI Health Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Sports

Less than two years after stepping away from volleyball to pursue track at Texas, Mackenzie Collins is making her return to the court, this time at Gregory Gymnasium.

The sophomore sprinter and hurdler is adding volleyball to her collegiate career, becoming just one of the two dual-sport athletes on the Forty Acres. Collins will join head coach Jerritt Elliott's program for the 2026 season while continuing to compete for Edrick Floreal's track and field team.

This move reunites Collins with a sport that once appeared destined to define her college career.

Texas announces that Mackenzie Collins has joined the volleyball team. The Houston native was once a Texas A&M volleyball commit who instead spent her first two years of college with UT's track and field program. #HookEm https://t.co/oldeYSsL5Z

— Danny Davis (@_dannydavis) July 30, 2026

Before enrolling at the University of Texas, Collins was one of the nation's top volleyball recruits. The Creek High School standout was rated among the best middle blockers in the 2025 recruiting class and originally committed to Texas A&M to play volleyball. However, as her track career blossomed, Collins changed course, flipping to Texas to focus solely on track and field instead.

Now, more than a year later, she's getting the opportunity to do both.

On the track, Collins quickly established herself as one of the Longhorns' rising stars. During the 2026 outdoor season, she won the 400-meter hurdles at the 2026 Texas Invitational and scored at the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships. During her freshman year, Collins qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 400-meter hurdles and won the 400 meters at the Tom Tellez Alumni Invitational.

the freshie gets it done and is going to Eugene 🎟️

Mackenzie Collins gets the last spot in with her time of 57.14 to make it to the NCAA Championships 🤘#FloKnows x #HookEm pic.twitter.com/OxRR5zlXWV

— Texas T&F/XC (@TexasTFXC) June 1, 2025

Her speed could become a major asset on the volleyball court.

Middle blockers are often utilized for their ability to move laterally and explode off the floor. Collins' experience as a hurdler and sprinter naturally develops many of those same physical tools. While there will undoubtedly be an adjustment returning to competitive volleyball after focusing on track, her athletic talents will make Collins a major asset.

From 2020 to 2021, Collins participated in the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program and earned an invitation to the 2024 USA Volleyball Girls Indoor National Team Development Program Summer Training Series.

Collins joins middle blockers Nya Bunton, a redshirt junior, and Taylor Harvey, a sophomore, on the court. Even if she begins the season in a reserve role, adding another player in the position is crucial in maintaining player health throughout the season.

Less than two years ago, she walked away from a future on the volleyball court to chase her track ambitions. Now, after proving she belongs among one of the country's premier track programs, she's getting the opportunity to revisit the sport she left behind.