—as she secures lucrative scholarship
—to study and play volleyball in the US
VOLLEYBALL star, Relebohile Phamotse, is set to embark on a new chapter in her academic and athletic career after securing a student-athletics scholarship to study and continue playing volleyball in the United States.
The Titans Volleyball Club player has been awarded a fully funded, two-year scholarship from McCook Community College in Nebraska, US, which will cover her tuition, books, accommodation, insurance, and flight expenses.
Despite the scholarship, Phamotse still requires an additional $3,900 (M71,000) per academic year to cover her living expenses.
To raise these funds, the Titans club is organizing an Open International Tournament from July 25-27 (venue to be confirmed) and a gala dinner on July 26 2025.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times this week, Phamotse expressed her readiness for this new challenge.
“I am ready for the next chapter in my career and academics,” she said.
“I’ve heard from other student-athlete scholarship recipients that it requires a lot of discipline and time management, but I believe I’m prepared to take on this challenge.”
Phamotse is expected to depart for the USA before August 1, 2025, to begin her studies and continue her volleyball career.
Phamotse sees this scholarship as not only a blessing but also a tremendous opportunity, as it will allow her to continue her education while also pursuing her passion for the sport.
“The scholarship gives me a chance to pursue my studies and play volleyball,” Phamotse said.
“Playing for the college team will help market me, and maybe I’ll get recognized by bigger teams overseas.”
Phamotse will start at the junior league level, with the hope of eventually playing at the elite level.
“For now, I’ll be playing in the junior league, but my goal is to be promoted to the elite league and play volleyball at a higher level,” she said.
“That will give me a chance to become a professional volleyball player.”
The specific course of study Phamotse will pursue is not yet confirmed, as she will need to take a placement test upon arrival in the US to determine her enrolment.
“When I get there, I’ll take a test that will determine which course I can be enrolled in for the next two years,” she explained.
Phamotse, affectionately known as “Relo,” is widely regarded as a rising star in Lesotho’s volleyball scene.
At just 20 years old, she has already achieved remarkable success, including winning a gold medal and individual awards at the recent African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games held in Lesotho.
This is not the first time Phamotse has received a scholarship for her academic and athletic abilities.
In 2019, she earned a Keba Mbaye scholarship, offered by the Keba Mbaye Foundation through the International Olympafrica Foundation to support children with the potential to excel both academically and in sports.
Phamotse’s recent accomplishments, including winning a silver medal and individual awards at the AUSC Games in Malawi in 2022, have cemented her status as a promising young talent in the world of volleyball.
With the support of her US scholarship, she is poised to take her game to new heights and potentially become a professional player.
