College of the Holy Cross mourns death of junior volleyball recruit

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 20, 2026

Amanda Mack, a junior recruit to Holy Cross’s women’s volleyball team, died at age 20 after battling severe aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder. Her death highlights the challenges of her illness and has prompted the college to offer counseling support while a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover her extensive medical and funeral expenses.

The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester announced the death of Amanda Mack, a junior recruit to the women’s volleyball program, who passed away Wednesday at age 20. Mack, from Bradenton, Florida, had recently been diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia, a rare and serious blood disorder, according to her social media posts and college statements.

Mack was recruited to join the Holy Cross Crusaders after competing last year at Eastern Kentucky University. Although she was enrolled at Holy Cross, she was unable to participate with the team on campus due to her illness. The college’s athletics department expressed profound sorrow over her passing.

“Losing a member of our HCVB family is devastating, and Amanda will be missed immensely,” said volleyball head coach Matthew Cribbin. “Our hearts go out to her family at this unimaginable time. She was so excited to put on the Holy Cross jersey and help create something memorable in our program.”

Before her illness, Mack had earned several accolades, including two Under Armour Next MVP awards, a 2021 Region MVP honor, two district MVP recognitions in 2021 and 2022, and a nomination for USA Today High School Sports Player of the Year in 2022, according to the Holy Cross athletics page.

The severity of Mack’s condition became public in July when she shared on Instagram that she had been admitted to intensive care and had undergone two emergency surgeries. She was scheduled for a bone marrow transplant in August and subsequently announced completion of immunosuppressive therapy with “minimal adverse reactions.” She had expressed hope for recovery and a return to physical activity.

Following her death, a GoFundMe campaign established by her recruiter, Kara Hill, noted the substantial medical expenses—estimated at $5 million—and stated that funds would also assist her family with funeral costs. The campaign described Mack as “a bright light” who positively impacted those around her, calling her a beloved daughter, friend, and teammate.

In response to the loss, Holy Cross provided information about counseling and support services for students and staff, including the Office of the College Chaplains, Counseling & Psychological Services, and the Employee Assistance Program.

Cribbin reflected on Mack’s courage, saying, “Her battle was enormous, and she never wavered, always looking forward to being back with her team. We carry her in our hearts and will play to honor her every day.”

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.