Ukrainian volleyball player helping Fossil Ridge while country continues war with Russia

Little did she know, Ruslana Plaksii’s life would be turned upside down only six months after leaving her home in Ukraine and coming to Fort Worth. Plaksii was just another foreign-exchange student at Keller Fossil Ridge High School, enjoying life, making new friends and playing volleyball.

She arrived to Fossil Ridge in August of 2021.

Plaksii played on the junior varsity team as a defensive specialist.

Then in February of 2022, the Russians invaded Ukraine.

But that’s far from the bad news.

Plaksii hasn’t been with her father, mother or sister, nor has she been back home since coming to Texas. Her father, Vladimir is in the reserves in Ukraine and could be called any second. Her mother and sister decided to move to Austria to get away from the war.

“I feel scared for my family and all my relatives that live close to hostilities. But at the same time I am proud to be Ukrainian. I believe in our people and my country,” Plaksii said. “Russia wanted to take Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, in three days, but how we can see it, they couldn’t do it. Ukraine is fighting every day for our freedom and peace. But at what a price? Children have lost their parents, mothers that lost their babies.

“Sons, fathers and husbands that left their lives on the battlefield. It’s still happening. But with the support we get everyday, I believe Ukraine will get the win.”

Plaksii’s plan was to go back after her junior year. She’s had to change host families because foreign exchange rules only allow one host family a year.

But now 14 months later, her plan is to stay and attend college in the United States.

Her original plan was to get references here for colleges back home.

“All the volleyball coaches were concerned about my family and my city,” said Plaksii, now a senior. “The team prayed after all our practices for my family and supported me as much as they could. They also ordered program T-shirts with the Ukrainian flag on them.”

Plaksii said she would’ve gone back to Ukraine to her family if the war had stopped at any point.

“After the war broke out in Ukraine and I couldn’t go back, I decided to completely create a new plan for my future,” she said. “I want to stay in the United States and go to college here. It was a hard decision, but since I can’t go back home, I’m looking for opportunities here.

“Since August I have been working on my college application for a computer science major and I continue to work hard to get scholarships.”

Playing volleyball

The Panthers volleyball team has won more than 20 games for the first time since 2016 and are in the playoff hunt entering the final regular season game.

Fossil Ridge is 22-17 overall and 7-6 in District 4-6A.

The Panthers are tied for fourth in the district standings with Southlake Carroll. The two play at Carroll on Tuesday in the final game. The winner clinches the final playoff spot.

While she’s played limited minutes, her presence has played a big part in their success.

“Ruslana’s situation has been a blessing to Ridge volleyball. I say that with the sensitivity it deserves. She’s fallen victim to something she shouldn’t have to at a young age, and without her mom and dad, or any family for that matter,” Fossil Ridge coach Hollie Huston said. “She’s played before and came to us with a lot of fire. She is a fantastic teammate, whether on the sidelines or when she gets in a game.”

“On the court, she makes sure that she’s doing her job and encouraging her teammates at the same time. Off the court, she the loudest one on the bench. She brings the team energy way up,” added Ridge junior LSU commit Lainee Pyles. “It’s been amazing. She’s such a positive player and truly cares about all of her teammates. She’s made a big difference in our program.

“We knew that her and her family were going through a really hard time. We tried our best to make volleyball something that she looked forward to every day and had fun when she was playing.”

Plaksii had played volleyball before, but the high schools in Ukraine don’t have it.

It’s played as a club sport.

She said this is her first time in the United States.

“Everything is big and spread out here in Texas,” Plaksii said. “If I’m being honest, I’ve never thought about America because it is so far and how expensive this country is compared to Europe.

“I had a cultural shock during my first week at school because of the size, but I was pleasantly surprised by the wide selection of classes and all levels of difficulty. I was also surprised how much diversity our school has.”

Added Huston, “When the war was new, it was a stressful time for her. We could see and feel that in her. Volleyball, and the off-season trials seemed to be a place where she could focus on something else.”

What a surprise

Plaksii talks to her family every day.

They video chat most days.

The team skyped the family into their home game against Haltom on Sept. 20. It was a total surprise. Ridge held a blue and gold night for Ukraine’s colors and Plaksii knew about that, but nothing else.

The video was on a giant TV screen.

Haltom was even in on it. The two teams didn’t switch sides so they didn’t lose connection. Haltom wore blue and gold shirts during warm up. Coaches and fans were decked out. Signs were made.

“I was feeling loved and excited. The gym was decorated with blue and yellow colors, and posters for me, my family and Ukraine,” Plaksii said. “My coaches, teammates, teachers, friends were there to support me

“I was happy, which verifies that I have the right and kind people with big hearts around me.”

After introductions, the TV screen was flipped around and Plaksii broke down in tears.

Plaksii got to play in all three sets as Ridge won 3-0.

“It was so wholesome. It made all of us so happy that she could see and talk to her family. We knew that she was so excited to finally show her family her team and how we play,” Pyles said.

“She is the loudest voice on the bench for our kids. They look to her and feel her presence. She lights a fire for us and provides a constant energy,” Huston added. “Ruslana is the heart of us. She’s an unfailing source of positivity that we can all look to.

“She is the kindest, most grateful kid I’ve ever coached. She says thank you daily. She’s a hugger. We’ve grown pretty close. I’m so glad she’s ours and I know she’s proud to be here too.”

This story was originally published October 24, 2022 at 11:48 AM.