AUSTIN, Texas — Brandy Magee was sitting on top of the world going into last season.

Recently installed as an All-American middle blocker, she was heading into her senior year with a Texas team that had a realistic shot at a national title.

When the Longhorns took the court for the first time in 2006 against Wisconsin in front of a rowdy home crowd, Magee’s final season appeared to be right on track.

That was until a knee injury derailed it.

“My first thought was, ‘Oh no! I hope everything is OK,’ ” Magee said. “I really didn’t know what the extent of my injury was, and I tried to walk it off.”

The anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee was torn, and she would be sidelined for the rest of the season.

“We were so bummed when it happened,” senior libero Alyson Jennings said. “I can’t imagine being a senior and thinking it’s your last season, and then that happening to you.”

Yet at least the injury was timed well. “I’m glad, as bad as it sounds, that it happened earlier on,” Magee said.

Since she suffered the injury in the first game, Magee qualified for a medical redshirt and was given the opportunity to have a fifth season in 2007. She spent last season rehabilitating and took on a supportive role for her teammates, who advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 1998.

“It was always hard to sit back and watch on the sidelines,” Magee said. “That was an adjustment I had to make, but I learned I could do other things to help out the team. I was a good cheerleader.”

Just because she wasn’t on the court every week didn’t mean her teammates had forgotten about her.

“My team helped me out a lot during that time,” Magee said. “They were always there to keep me included, and I never felt like I was off by myself.”

With the injury behind her and a fresh season unfolding, she has her eyes set on another national championship run, and this may be the team to get there. Texas has added several dominant pieces to the team and Magee finds herself as the most experienced player.

Aside from her impact on the court — she is the program’s all-time leader in hitting percentage — Magee’s recovery from injury has also given her teammates a lift.

“It gives me inspiration to go hard every day at practice, just because any time could be your last time to play,” Jennings said. “It can be taken away so fast.”

But sometimes second chances happen.

“I’m so proud of her,” Jennings said. “It’s so cool to have her back. I think it’s a blessing in disguise.”