Virginia Adriano did not know much about the United States before she moved to Nebraska to play college volleyball. It has been quite the transition from Italy. Fortunately, veteran teammate Andi Jackson has helped her to get acclimated. The differences between professional volleyball and college volleyball create a number of new challenges. Culture shock is also very real.

The 21-year-old hitter grew up in Turin, Italy and played on the highest level of professional volleyball in her home country as the starting oppo for Bergamo in Serie A1. Adriano averaged 2.39 kills per set and finished eighth in the league with a hitting percentage of .385. She also won a gold medal at the European Championships a member of the Italian U23 National Team.