Texas Volleyball’s Rella Binney exemplifies how Longhorn Foundation donors help student-athletes turn their dreams into reality.
Ruby Mach
10/20/2026
Dreaming of Texas
Hawaiian native Rella Binney didn’t just happen upon Texas — Texas was a dream made reality. All it took was one game, and she was hooked. Ever since the seventh grade, when Binney watched Texas Volleyball take on the University of Hawaii, she knew she wanted to one day wear burnt orange. “Texas was my dream school since I started playing volleyball in seventh grade.” Binney witnessed Texas’ greatness firsthand, but what stood out most was the pride and passion the players had for representing the Longhorns. It was a familiar kind of pride.
I think something special about Hawaii is that we have so much pride from where we're from, I could see that same pride in the way Texas played.Rella Binney
Coming out of high school, Binney had her choice of schools. She could have chosen to attend another program as a scholarship student-athlete, but the Forty Acres was where she wanted to be. The program, the resources, and the academics all aligned with what she was searching for. As an SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient and member of SEC All-Academic Team, success in the classroom is equally as important to Binney as success on the court. Currently pursuing a degree in Marketing at the McCombs School of Business, the opportunity to earn an education from Texas was a major factor in her decision to become a Longhorn.
"Academics was definitely a big part of the decision to come to Texas, being able to get into McCombs School of Business and have so many resources on and off the court is a huge advantage".
When given the opportunity to join the volleyball team, Binney did not hesitate, even if that meant coming to Texas as a walk-on.
For Binney, becoming a Longhorn meant stepping into an environment where she would be challenged, and joining a program that had just won back-to-back national championships was no small feat. “I was never the best. And I feel like that’s somewhat uncommon for student-athletes who come to Texas, they’re often the best on their team. So joining this program, which had just come off back-to-back national championships, was intimidating, but also such an amazing opportunity.”
Being surrounded by the high level of talent at Texas and having access to resources made possible by Longhorn Foundation donors, are what make Texas so special, Binney states.
Iron sharpens iron. When you're given resources to make you better and the people around you want to be better, it makes you better. It’s a cycle of everyone wanting to continue to carry on that winning Texas tradition.Rella Binney
That mindset helped Binney make the most of this opportunity, and by the end of her freshman year, her hard work paid off. Binney received the news that she would be awarded a scholarship for the rest of her time here at Texas.
That moment represented more than earning a scholarship. It was another reminder that the dream she had held onto since seventh grade was her reality and a reflection of the investment Longhorn Foundation donors make in Texas student-athletes every day.
Binney has come a long way, from beginning her Freshman year as a walk-on, unsure if she would even play, to now, a Junior, decorated SEC weekly award recipient and a starter in every game, Binney attributes much of her growth as a student-athlete to the support available to her through Texas Athletics made possible by donor impact. “I have so much gratitude for all the people who donate, I am a better student-athlete because of all the things that they provide for us. Whether that's nutrition, strength and conditioning, academics, or recovery. Every day I come prepared to be able to play volleyball and win. It’s so helpful to have all the resources that allow me to do that”.
Proudly representing the Burnt Orange every day, Rella Binney is an example of how Longhorn Foundation Donors foster the environment that gives Texas student-athletes the opportunity to become a champion. Binney hopes that gratitude to donors can be expressed through victories.
We are endlessly grateful, and I hope that we can all make you proud by continuing to win because of what you're providing for us.Rella Binney
