A Journey of Growth: How Volleyball Shaped Ofure Iselen’s Life at UC Irvine

For Ofure Iselen, a senior on the UC Irvine women’s volleyball team, her time in college was a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs. What started as an unexpected hobby in middle school, sparked by a friend, became a life-defining passion that led her to a Division I career and ultimately, a new professional path.

Iselen’s volleyball career began later than most, with her making a serious commitment to the sport during her freshman year of high school. Despite starting late, her potential was quickly recognized by a club director who encouraged her to pursue the collegiate level. When it came time to choose a school, UC Irvine stood out. It offered the perfect blend of a strong academic reputation and the chance to live out her dream of playing Division I volleyball, all while staying close to her family in the Bay Area.

Her first year at UCI was a period of learning and adjustment. An early injury pushed her to focus on strength training in the weight room, a challenge she embraced. Iselen patiently dedicated herself to improvement, playing sparingly in her first two seasons before seeing her playing time increase during her junior year.

The real test came in her senior season. Iselen earned a spot in the starting lineup but was benched during the preseason. It was a major mental hurdle, as she had no “next year” to fall back on. This setback forced her to confront her mental health and find a way back to believing in herself. Her resilience paid off. She returned to the lineup during conference play and became a key player, helping the Anteaters achieve a winning record and a program-first season sweep of Hawai’i. She ended the season ranked first in the Big West for blocks per set and was named to the Big West Fall All-Academic team.

Iselen’s impact at UCI extended far beyond the volleyball court. She was actively involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and helped found the Black Student Athlete Alliance at the university. These experiences, combined with her athletic journey, led to a new role after her graduation with a Political Science degree: Student-Athlete Development Coordinator.

In this new position, Iselen leverages her unique perspective to help other student-athletes prepare for life after sports. She works on career development and brings in former collegiate athletes to share their experiences. Looking back on her time at UCI, Iselen emphasizes that the relationships she built were the most valuable part of her journey. She found a community of people who supported her through her lowest moments and with whom she created a lasting bond. Iselen’s journey at UC Irvine may have concluded, but she sees it as a powerful beginning to her next chapter as she plans to pursue an MBA and a career as a marketing executive.