Around 2020 or 2021, Dorina Bogar dreamt of coming to the U.S. to play volleyball.
Two years later, that dream led her to the College of Southern Idaho.
The Budapest, Hungary, native told the Times-News it usually takes three to four flights to get back home during winter or summer break, when she can see her friends and family and have some of her mom's stuffed cabbage.
Right now, though, there's a season to finish. Bogar is the heart and soul of a Golden Eagles squad that has experienced its fair share of ups and downs on the court this fall.
Entering Thursday's home match against Salt Lake Community College, CSI is 7-13 overall, 2-3 in the Scenic West Athletic Conference and on the outside looking in for a berth in the Region 18 tournament. Bogar, a sophomore outside hitter, leads CSI in kills (151), service aces (40) and is second in digs (171).
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"She's a workhorse," CSI interim head coach Andria Harshman told the Times-News. "She doesn't stop."
Bogar knew she could have a bigger role this year. She just didn't know it would be this much more. She transitioned from being a back row player with a strong serve as a freshman to a six rotation player.
"I was expected to play but I didn't expect this much," Bogar told the Times-News. "I'm really happy that they are trusting me and putting me on the court."
Harshman was brought into the role on July 15, two weeks before the start of preseason workouts after the school terminated the contract of former head coach Jim Cartisser in June. Harshman couldn't make any late season additions to the roster. She needed to look at the 15 athletes on the roster and try to get the most out of them.
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It didn't take long to see that Bogar would be one who would carry a big load. In NJCAA volleyball, teams are allowed a limited number of substitutions per set, including the libero, who can only play on the back. So CSI needed someone who could play in the front and back row. Bogar, who was recruited as a hitter, stepped in to play front row to add to her duties she had as a freshman.
"She's just been a great six rotation player," Harshman told the Times-News. "So proud of her from her energy, she's a great leader and a captain for us."
Bogar feels more comfortable this year, and knows she's expected to be a leader, too. Nine of the 15 players on CSI's roster are freshmen and Bogar is the only returner that saw significant playing time for the 2023 Golden Eagles.
Four players suffered season-ending injuries, compounding CSI's inexperience in 2024.
Bogar knows her team depends on her. As someone to come to if they need advice, or as a role model for how to play and show passion on the court. Bogar isn't afraid to show emotion, whether uttering a primal scream after a big kill or a quizzical expression if she got lucky. She sets an example in the weight room, too.
"On the court she has a lot of energy," sophomore Raiatea Campbell told the Times-News. "And she brings it and she has that leadership of that serve and the hitting, the digs and it's just bringing the whole team together like glue."
CSI will need all it can get from Bogar the rest of the way, as it tries to finish the season strong and qualify for the Region 18 tournament.
After that, she's not sure what's next. She would like to continue playing volleyball, preferably at a Division I school where she can study engineering. Hopefully her parents can finally come to see her play in person. She plans to stay in the U.S. when she's done playing volleyball.
Wherever she ends up, Bogar will continue living out a dream only a few years in the making.
"This was my dream," Bogar said. "I'm super lucky to have that."
Justin Fitzgerald is the sports reporter for the Times-News. Prior to coming to Twin Falls, he was the sports reporter at the Cherokee Scout in Murphy, North Carolina for 2.5 years. Despite growing up in Maryland and graduating from the state's flagship university, he thinks Old Bay is overrated.
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