Marta Bellucco arrived in Wichita in January 2017 and expected to return to Italy five months later. A semester, she reluctantly agreed, and no more for college tennis.
Four years later, she treasures almost every moment of her unexpectedly long stay.
"I didn't want to come at first," she said. "I got here and I loved the system of American universities. I love that you can be an athlete and be a student at the same time and the professors understand that. Everybody is working for your success."
Bellucco is nearing the end of one of Wichita State's most successful doubles careers as post-season play begins with the American Athletic Conference Championships on Wednesday in Orlando.