Meet the Cougs: Volleyball Edition

Meet the Cougs: Volleyball Edition

As the 2025-26 season kicks off, the Collin College volleyball program enters an exciting new chapter under the direction of first-year and decorated head coach Grace Wells. Once home to a decorated program, Collin volleyball now begins a new era under the leadership of Wells, with a talented group of players ready to make their mark on the program.

This year's team features 15 student-athletes, with 14 hailing from the state of Texas. 
Get to know the 2025-26 team as they prepare to take the court this season:

Amaya Carter | Frisco, TX | Panther Creek High School
Degree pursuing: Psychology
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? I hope to keep the team motivated and keep everyone focused, positive, and working together toward our goals.
Favorite motto? It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up.
Why did you choose Collin? I chose Collin because the girls on the team were very welcoming and kind to me. I really like Coach Wells' coaching style.

Andrea Ortega | El Paso, TX | Immanuel Christian High School
Degree pursuing: Physical therapy
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? This season I would like to bring good energy, support my teammates, and do my part to help the whole team succeed.
Favorite motto? Psalm 25:4-5: "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
Why did you choose Collin? I picked Collin College because it offers what I need and it's in a good location.

Ashley Layman | Garland, TX | North Garland High School
Degree pursuing: Integrated Studies
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? I want to bring positive energy, communicate well, and give my best effort to help the team improve. On and off the court, I hope to support my teammates, build a strong team bond, and help us grow and succeed together.
Favorite motto? Your happiness is your responsibility.
Why did you choose Collin? I chose Collin because of the wide variety of academics they have to offer and how affordable Collin is.

Christian Duncan | Baytown, TX | Robert E Lee High School
Degree pursuing: Architecture and interior design
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? Positive and just pushes everyone to their full potential.
Favorite motto? She believed she could, so she did.
Why did you choose Collin? I wanted to play for Coach Wells. I am praying she can get me to be the athlete I have the potential to be.

Emily Torres | Euless, TX | Trinity High School
Degree pursuing: Biology
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? I hope to be the person people can look to when struggling and help them reset.
Favorite motto? To learn to succeed, you must learn to fail first.
Why did you choose Collin? I chose Collin, not only for the many positive things it has to offer, but, when I was trying out, the girls wanted me. It made me feel wanted, and when you're being wanted somewhere, you should go.

Isabella Foutz | Albuquerque, NM | Volcano Vista High School | Richland College
Degree pursuing: Business
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? I hope I bring leadership as a sophomore.
Favorite motto? You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
Why did you choose Collin? Coach Wells was my coach last year, and I wanted to play for her again.

Jada Baxter | Dallas, TX | Newman Smith High School
Degree pursuing: Business
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? Be the most positive and encouraging for my teammates.
Favorite motto? You're going to be remembered, so it's your choice whether it's in a good or bad way.
Why did you choose Collin? I felt grateful to get an opportunity to stay close to home and I love knowing that we are the start of a new program and to leave our mark.

Kylie Elmore | Arlington, TX | Kennedale High School | Vernon College
Degree pursuing: Kinesiology
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? I hope to be a teammate that my team can trust and fall back on when they need to.
Favorite motto? Go hard or go home.
Why did you choose Collin? I chose Collin because of the amazing opportunities I'm provided as a student athlete.

Lauren Larkins | Wichita Falls, TX | Burkburnett High School
Degree pursuing: Business
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? I hope to be able to impact my team in a way that they know they are capable of any and everything. While I am on the team, I want them to know that they are always supported.
Favorite motto? Always trust the process.
Why did you choose Collin? Collin had what I felt like I needed. I chose Collin College because I knew that I would be pushed outside of my comfort zone. Especially with volleyball and playing under a tough and dedicated coach, I knew that I would grow in ways I never thought possible.

Maya Nalls | Saginaw, TX | Chisholm Trail High School
Degree pursuing: Dental hygiene
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? The impact to the team that I want to have is bringing a mindset of wanting to work and wanting to show up. Even when things get hard, I will be the person there helping you and motivating my team.
Favorite motto? Failure is only the opportunity to try again—only more wisely this time.
Why did you choose Collin? I chose Collin College because it offers exactly what I need to succeed on and off the court. From the moment I learned about the Dental Hygiene program, I knew this was the place where I could chase my academic dream while playing the sport I love. The campus environment feels supportive and competitive, and I'm excited to be part of a team that pushes each other to grow. Collin gives me the chance to become a better student, athlete, and leader - and that's what I'm here for.

Ogechukwu (Oge) Ugorji | Katy, TX | Cypress Park High School
Degree pursuing: Nursing
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? I hope I can impact by being a team player, working hard, staying focused, and always doing my best,
Favorite motto? Be the light.
Why did you choose Collin? I chose Collin because it's a great school, and I want to have an impact on the new volleyball team.

Parker Kimbal | Austin, TX | Brentwood Christian High School | Richland College
Degree pursuing: Nursing
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? I hope I am a good leader and captain my teammates can come to.
Favorite motto? Always play like it's your last time.
Why did you choose Collin? I chose Collin because it was an amazing opportunity given to me, and I want to be a part of the new volleyball program.

Razikama (Razi) Shelby | Frisco, TX | Panther Creek High School
Degree pursuing: Nursing
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? I hope to have an uplifting impact through my performance.
Favorite motto? If you hit rock bottom, there's only one place to go – up.
Why did you choose Collin? I chose Collin because of Coach Wells. I admire her bluntness and respect for the game.

Sidney Scott | Dallas, TX | Franklin D. Roosevelt High School
Degree pursuing: Nursing
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? I hope to be a consistent, positive leader who brings energy, strong communication, and support to help my team stay focused and push for success.
Favorite motto? "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Why did you choose Collin? I chose Collin because I was determined to be coached by Grace Wells. From the beginning, I felt a strong connection with her—she's the kind of coach who pushes you to grow while truly understanding you as a player and a person. We see eye to eye on a lot, and our goals align both on and off the court, which made my decision clear.

Tylisee Brinkley | Manvel, TX | Tyler Junior College | Manvel High School
Degree pursuing: Nursing
What impact do you hope to have on the team this season? I hope to bring consistent energy, strong communication, and a mindset that pushes everyone to improve. Whether it's through leading by example, supporting teammates, or staying focused during tough moments, I want to help build a team that trusts each other and competes hard every game.
Favorite motto? She believed she could so she did.
Why did you choose Collin? I chose Collin because it feels like home. The supportive atmosphere, close-knit community, and chance to continue playing volleyball make it the perfect place for me to grow. It's where I feel comfortable, focused, and motivated to reach my goals both on and off the court.

"I am excited for the season and the debut of the program," said Head Coach Grace Wells. "There will be challenges because of how new the program is, but knowing how hard our girls have been working, I am confident that Collin Volleyball will do well in our first season back since 2002."

The Cougars aren't the only new kids on the block in the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference this fall. With McLennan Community College also adding a volleyball program starting this fall, 10 of the 11 schools in the NTJCAC will compete in volleyball.

All games are free to staff and students with a valid ID.
Match information, rosters, news, and more can be found at https://athletics.collin.edu