A network element includes an ingress interface, a VSP queue, and a switch fabric (SWF). The ingress interface includes a first virtual subport (VSP) and a second VSP. The first VSP is configured to receive data traffic. The VSP queue is coupled to the second VSP such that data traffic transmitted to the VSP queue is transmitted from the network element via the second VSP. The SWF is configured to receive data traffic from the first VSP, determine whether an intended recipient of the data traffic is associated with the second VSP, and hairpin the data traffic to the VSP queue when the SWF determines that the intended recipient is associated with the second VSP.