2025 Women's Volleyball Roster
Jersey Number 24
Layla Collins
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Height:
- 6-2
- Hometown:
- Plainfield, Ill.
- Previous School:
- Plainfield HS (Virginia Tech)
Previous School
Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
Liberty had everything I was looking for in a university; amazing facilities, a beautiful and safe campus, a variety of nearby stores and restaurants, and coaches/staff who genuinely care about their athletes as both players and people. Most importantly, everything at Liberty is centered around Christ.
Is there anything special you do pregame or postgame and why?
I pray and listen to Gospel music, specifically pregame. When I listen to Gospel music it just brings me peace and calms my spirit. Praying is very important to me because it allows me to be honest with the Lord. If I am nervous or anxious before a game, I can present that to Him and He will take my worries away. Praying also allows me to be where my feet are and take it one step at a time.
Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
I would say myself—I’m inspired by my own journey. The progress I’ve made and the adversity I’ve overcome in my sport pushes me to keep going. I’ve been through so much, yet I’m still here because I love what I do. Every challenge fuels me, and I’m driven by the need to prove to myself just how far I can go.
What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
My most memorable accomplishment was in 7th grade, when my team and I won the conference championship (we hadn't won in a decade).
If you picked your jersey/uniform number, why is that number important to you?
24 was my favorite number growing up. I always saw it everywhere. I had gotten a dog on the 24th, it’s Christmas Eve, and my phone number begins with it.
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My father, Anton Collins, played basketball at University of Illinois at Chicago, and played professionally overseas in Europe, South America, China, the Middle East, and Central America.
Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
My favorite dinner is a salmon bowl. My mom makes them perfectly, and it has all the ingredients I love. Salmon is also the only fish I like, and it’s so delicious I could eat it every day.
What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
iMessages
What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
Cooking
Do you have any current pets (name and type of animal)?
I have a Yorkie Poodle named Nala, a Cane Corse Mastiff mix named Lacey, and a Great Dane named Nova.
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Gabby Douglas
What is your favorite possession and why?
My Beats Solo4. I listen to music 24/7 so I always have them on me somewhere.
What is your Go-To karaoke song?
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston
What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Either Italy or Greece because there are so many places to see in both. They’re beautiful and I’d love to try the real food from each country.
- Transferred to Liberty after playing at Virginia Tech as a freshman in 2024
- Appeared in two sets over two matches played
- Recorded one block and one kill at Wake Forest
- Graduated from Plainfield Central High School
- Four-year varsity letter winner
- Ranked in the Top 100 recruits in Illinois in her graduating class all four years
- Prep Volleyball High School Watch List
- VolleyballMag.com Dream Team for March 9, 2022
- Prep Dig '24 Mighty Middles
- AVCA Phenom List
- JVA 2022 Watch List
- Finished second in Southwest Prairie Conference in hitting percentage (.284) as a sophomore
- Illinois Prep 2022 Special Mention, "Players Who Will Have a Big Impact on the '23 Season"
- As a junior, led her team in kills per set (3.5), hitting percentage (.284) and blocks (40)
- 2023 All-Conference selection
- 2023 Team MVP
- 2023 Joliet Central Bryan Tournament All-Tournament
- During senior season, led team in kills per set (2.8), hitting percentage (.204), blocks (42) and kills (192)
- Competed for Sports Performance Volleyball Club and First Alliance Volleyball Club
- Daughter of Monica Wilks and Anton Collins
- Father, Anton Collins, played basketball at UIC
- Birthday is Dec. 10
- Intends to major in public health, with the goal of becoming a pediatrician
Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
Liberty had everything I was looking for in a university; amazing facilities, a beautiful and safe campus, a variety of nearby stores and restaurants, and coaches/staff who genuinely care about their athletes as both players and people. Most importantly, everything at Liberty is centered around Christ.
Is there anything special you do pregame or postgame and why?
I pray and listen to Gospel music, specifically pregame. When I listen to Gospel music it just brings me peace and calms my spirit. Praying is very important to me because it allows me to be honest with the Lord. If I am nervous or anxious before a game, I can present that to Him and He will take my worries away. Praying also allows me to be where my feet are and take it one step at a time.
Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
I would say myself—I’m inspired by my own journey. The progress I’ve made and the adversity I’ve overcome in my sport pushes me to keep going. I’ve been through so much, yet I’m still here because I love what I do. Every challenge fuels me, and I’m driven by the need to prove to myself just how far I can go.
What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
My most memorable accomplishment was in 7th grade, when my team and I won the conference championship (we hadn't won in a decade).
If you picked your jersey/uniform number, why is that number important to you?
24 was my favorite number growing up. I always saw it everywhere. I had gotten a dog on the 24th, it’s Christmas Eve, and my phone number begins with it.
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My father, Anton Collins, played basketball at University of Illinois at Chicago, and played professionally overseas in Europe, South America, China, the Middle East, and Central America.
Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
My favorite dinner is a salmon bowl. My mom makes them perfectly, and it has all the ingredients I love. Salmon is also the only fish I like, and it’s so delicious I could eat it every day.
What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
iMessages
What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
Cooking
Do you have any current pets (name and type of animal)?
I have a Yorkie Poodle named Nala, a Cane Corse Mastiff mix named Lacey, and a Great Dane named Nova.
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Gabby Douglas
What is your favorite possession and why?
My Beats Solo4. I listen to music 24/7 so I always have them on me somewhere.
What is your Go-To karaoke song?
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston
What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Either Italy or Greece because there are so many places to see in both. They’re beautiful and I’d love to try the real food from each country.
Liberty Volleyball Splits Series With KSU
Saturday, October 11
Coach White & Jenna Otts Talk About Sweeping LA Tech
Saturday, September 27
Gameday with Liberty Volleyball
Wednesday, September 24
Liberty Volleyball Holds Off Radford 3-2
Tuesday, September 16
