Amanda Mack, a former Eastern Kentucky University volleyball player, has died at the age of 20, leaving the volleyball community, former teammates, friends and family mourning the loss of a young athlete whose collegiate career had taken her to three different programs.
Mack died on Wednesday, September 16, according to a tribute shared by the EKU volleyball program. The university described the loss as deeply painful while offering condolences to her family, friends and teammates.
Her death has prompted tributes from the volleyball programs and communities that knew her during her athletic career.
Amanda Mack Remembered by EKU Volleyball
Amanda Mack spent one season playing volleyball for the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels.
She joined EKU after transferring from the University of Cincinnati and played her sophomore season with the Colonels in 2025. Her time in Richmond, Kentucky, became an important part of her collegiate volleyball journey.
Following her passing, EKU volleyball shared a message mourning the former Colonel and remembering the time she spent with the program.
The tribute also extended condolences to Mack’s family, friends and teammates throughout her volleyball career.
A Promising Collegiate Volleyball Career
Mack had already established herself as a highly regarded volleyball player before reaching the collegiate level.
According to her Holy Cross athletic biography, she appeared in 29 matches for Eastern Kentucky during the 2025 season, making 26 starts and playing 98 sets. She recorded 204 kills, 57 digs and 26 total blocks.
She also recorded several notable individual performances, including a career-high 16 kills against Cincinnati in September 2025.
Her performance at the high school and junior levels had also earned considerable recognition.
From Florida to Division I Volleyball
Mack was a Florida native from Bradenton and attended IMG Academy, where she played volleyball at a high level.
Before her time at EKU, she played for the University of Cincinnati as a freshman in 2024. She appeared in two matches during that season before transferring to Eastern Kentucky.
Her athletic development also included time at Maryville, where she became the first player in school history to reach 1,000 career kills.
She was recognized with multiple district and regional honors during her high school career and was a two-time Under Armour Next MVP.
Amanda Mack Obituary Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Amanda Mack |
| Age | 20 |
| Date of death | September 16, 2026 |
| Hometown | Bradenton, Florida |
| Sport | Volleyball |
| Position | Outside hitter |
| Former college | Eastern Kentucky University |
| Previous college | University of Cincinnati |
| Later college | College of the Holy Cross |
| High school | IMG Academy |
| Cause of death | Not officially disclosed in the available reporting |
| Funeral arrangements | Not provided |
Mack Had Recently Joined Holy Cross
After her season at Eastern Kentucky, Mack transferred to the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts for her junior year.
Holy Cross listed her on its 2026 volleyball roster as an outside hitter standing 6-foot-1. The program described her as a transfer from Eastern Kentucky with Division I experience.
Her addition to the Holy Cross roster came after a strong season at EKU, where she had established herself as a significant contributor.
Her collegiate journey therefore included Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky and, most recently, Holy Cross.
Tributes From the Volleyball Community
Mack’s death has affected several parts of the volleyball community because of the different programs and training environments where she had built relationships.
Eastern Kentucky remembered her as a former Colonel, while her other volleyball connections have also shared condolences following her death.
For teammates, coaches and training partners, the loss represents the sudden absence of someone who had shared practices, competitions and the demanding routine of competitive volleyball with them.
Her achievements on the court are only one part of the memories those people will carry forward.
Amanda Mack’s Athletic Legacy
Mack’s volleyball career included a number of accomplishments before her death at 20.
At Maryville, she earned multiple all-district and all-region honors and was named a team MVP. She was also selected to the 2024 Under Armour Next All-America game after playing at IMG Academy.
Her collegiate statistics at Eastern Kentucky further demonstrate the level at which she was competing.
Although her athletic career was still developing, she had already established a record of achievement that will remain part of the story told about her life.
Cause of Death and Funeral Information
The circumstances surrounding Amanda Mack’s death have not been fully detailed in the current reports from EKU and Kentucky news outlets.
Some online reports have discussed a serious health condition she had reportedly been dealing with in the months before her death. However, the available reporting does not provide an official statement establishing a specific cause of death.
For that reason, no particular medical condition should be presented as the confirmed cause without a statement from her family or another authoritative source.
Funeral, visitation and memorial arrangements have also not been provided in the reports currently available.
Amanda Mack Remembered at 20
Amanda Mack’s death at just 20 has left a significant void among the people who knew her through volleyball and beyond.
She had already experienced several important stages of a promising athletic career, moving from high school volleyball to Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky and eventually Holy Cross.
For her family and friends, however, her legacy extends beyond statistics and awards.
She will be remembered through the relationships she built, the teams she represented and the experiences she shared with the people around her.
The volleyball community now mourns a young athlete whose life and career ended far earlier than expected.
Disclaimer
This obituary is based on current reporting and tributes concerning Amanda Mack, a 20-year-old former Eastern Kentucky University volleyball player who died on September 16, 2026. Her volleyball background and death have been reported by Kentucky news outlets and athletic programs. The available authoritative reporting does not establish an official cause of death or provide funeral arrangements. Any additional medical or personal details should be confirmed through her family or another reliable source before being treated as definitive.