Promising volleyball youngster Relebohile Phamotse has finally realised her long-held dream after clinching a fully-funded sports scholarship and is currently departing for the United States, marking a major milestone for both her career and Lesotho volleyball.
After securing the scholarship in early 2025, Phamotse is now en route to the US for a two-year stay, where she will combine competitive volleyball with furthering her education.
She has earned a prestigious full scholarship to McCook Community College in Nebraska, an opportunity that places her among a select group of young athletes to break through onto the international stage.
The scholarship covers tuition, books, accommodation, insurance and airfare, a rare, life-changing package that removes the financial barriers which often limit talented athletes from Lesotho. For the 22-year-old Titans Volleyball Club standout, the journey to this point has been one of patience, discipline and unwavering belief.
When the acceptance finally came, the moment felt almost surreal, bringing to an end months of waiting and uncertainty. The move to the US represents not just a change of scenery, but the fulfilment of a goal she has quietly worked towards for years.
Speaking to Newsday, Phamotse said she is mentally and physically ready to embrace the demands of life as a student-athlete abroad.
“I am ready for the next chapter in my career and academics,” she said.
“I have been told by others who have gone on similar scholarships that it takes discipline and time management, and I believe I am prepared.”
Upon arrival, Phamotse will begin her studies while competing in the junior college volleyball league, a highly competitive environment that serves as a pathway to elite collegiate and professional levels. She sees the opportunity as a crucial stepping stone rather than an end point.
“For now, I will be playing in the junior league, but my goal is to rise to the elite league and ultimately turn professional. This scholarship gives me the platform to pursue both my education and my dream of playing volleyball at the highest level.”
Phamotse’s rise has been built on years of consistent performance at club level, where she has established herself as one of the country’s most promising young players. Despite limited resources and exposure, her work ethic and commitment set her apart, eventually attracting international interest.
The move to the US will expose her to advanced training facilities, experienced coaches and a faster, more physical style of play, elements expected to accelerate her development. Competing in a structured collegiate system will also test her ability to balance academics and high-performance sport, a challenge she embraces with confidence.
Beyond her personal ambitions, Phamotse’s achievement carries wider significance. As a young Mosotho woman breaking into international volleyball, her journey serves as inspiration to aspiring athletes back home, particularly girls who may doubt that such opportunities are attainable.
Her departure signals a powerful statement about the potential that exists within Lesotho sport when talent meets opportunity. For her, this is more than a scholarship but the beginning of a new chapter defined by growth, ambition and possibility.
As she begins life in the United States, all eyes will be on how far her talent can take her. One thing is certain; Phamotse is no longer just a promising local prospect; she is now a global student-athlete, carrying her dreams, and her country’s hopes, onto a much bigger stage.
Summary
- Promising volleyball youngster Relebohile Phamotse has finally realised her long-held dream after clinching a fully-funded sports scholarship and is currently departing for the United States, marking a major milestone for both her career and Lesotho volleyball.
- After securing the scholarship in early 2025, Phamotse is now en route to the US for a two-year stay, where she will combine competitive volleyball with furthering her education.
- She has earned a prestigious full scholarship to McCook Community College in Nebraska, an opportunity that places her among a select group of young athletes to break through onto the international stage.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
