Adjusting to life in a new country can be a challenge for any student, but for international athletes, the transition often comes with added hurdles. At Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC), volleyball player Fernanda Ocoro has faced those challenges head-on, thanks to her determination and the support of a teammate who understands her journey.
Ocoro and fellow freshman Ash Rolando both arrived at KCKCC in 2024, leaving their home countries behind to pursue the chance to play college volleyball. What started as a shared struggle with language, customs, and the pace of American athletics quickly turned into a friendship that helped carry them through their first year.
“I was nervous because it was my first time here in the United States,” Ocoro said. “I know volleyball here is different. I think I’m going in the right direction, and I’m excited for the future.”
According to KCKCC coaches, that future looks bright. Head Coach Mary Bruno-Ballou and Assistant Coach Asya Herron first recruited Ocoro for her athleticism and steady ball control, but they say she has grown far beyond what they imagined.
“She’s taken such a big leap from her freshman to sophomore year,” Bruno-Ballou said. “She is comfortable enough now to have a conversation with you, and that takes a lot of bravery.”
That bravery was tested early as Ocoro adjusted to faster play, longer practices, and balancing academics. Rolando was often by her side, helping her navigate everything from the international office to long conversations about missing family.
“We were just the voice of one another,” Rolando said. “If one of us didn’t understand something, the other stepped in. We leaned on each other when things got tough.”
Despite being far from family, Ocoro has found ways to stay connected through daily calls home. She admits it’s not the same as having loved ones in the stands, but she’s built a sense of belonging on campus. Teammates and classmates from different cultures have helped her see KCKCC as a second home.
She describes volleyball as her outlet, both for stress relief and joy. From her first academy practice back home to the speed of play at the collegiate level, the game has been a constant.
“I keep playing because I love it—it makes me happy,” she said.
Rolando calls her friend hardworking, funny, and loyal—someone who can lighten the mood with a joke but also step up when it matters most.
Looking ahead, Ocoro says she is thankful for the chance to study and compete at KCKCC. “This experience is changing my life,” she said. “I want to keep improving, keep learning, and make the most of everything here.”
For her coaches and teammates, Ocoro represents more than just athletic talent. She is an example of resilience, growth, and what it means to build a home away from home.
This story originally appeared on the Kansas City Kansas Community College athletics website. Read the full article at KCKCC Blue Devils.
