Mia Lopez is fulfilling one of her greatest dreams. Since she was little, her parents, Tania and David, noticed in her an undeniable determination and a deep love for volleyball. Her discipline and passion for the sport were so intense that the family did not hesitate to sacrifice their social life to accompany her to practices, tournaments, and games.
Lopez, whose path to the youth elite stands as a story of perseverance for other young athletes, began playing for clubs at age 10. She spent several years at NOLA Volleyball and traveled across the country to participate in championships between the ages of 12 and 16. She recalls the start of her passion: “I remember playing in my park with my cousins when I was about 8 and watching my sister play.”
At 5 feet 3 inches (5’3”), Lopez’s height often presented an obstacle. However, her unbreakable discipline allowed her to develop skills that countered her height. “She is small, and she had to work harder. She sacrificed everything. She never missed a practice, she didn’t go to her proms, she didn’t have spring break; she spent all her time training in gyms,” says her mother.
Participation in high-level clubs is a significant investment, a sacrifice her parents assumed with conviction. “Economically, it is quite expensive, but the coaches kept telling us, ‘she has talent,’” recalls her mother, Tania.
Seeking an environment of excellence, Lopez recently joined the WD Nation club in Slidell, a team known for winning national titles. Despite the need to drive 30 minutes to every practice, her commitment never wavered. In addition, she has represented her school, Mount Carmel Academy, since the eighth grade. The academy is a competitive benchmark and the alma mater of national beach volleyball champion, Kristen Nuss.
That total commitment paid off. Lopez was named MVP as a Freshman on the Junior Varsity team, and then as a Senior on the Varsity team. For her, the effort did not feel like a burden. “I think I did miss a lot, moments with my friends, but I love this game so much that it didn’t feel like a sacrifice to me,” the athlete says.
One of her most cherished memories is “The Pink Game” at school, an annual friendly match for cancer awareness, which always achieved a full house and aroused great emotion. Although Mia prefers indoor volleyball, she also competes representing her school in beach volleyball.
Mick Stein, the sports director of Coconut Beach, has witnessed her evolution. “We’ve been doing high school doubles for seven years here.” Stein knows Lopez well, as she has played and served as a referee for championships at the sports complex. “She is consistent, she plays as a defense in indoor volleyball, but she is excellent; if she wanted to play beach at the next level, she could achieve it,” he comments.
The sports director concludes with a clear recognition of her talent: “Mia is an excellent player. I’m proud to know her, and I’m happy that she will be playing at the next level.”
Ashley Miller, the newly appointed Mount Carmel coach who has worked with Mia in beach volleyball, describes her as an ideal and easy-to-guide athlete. “Mia is a phenomenal athlete; she works hard, she has a good attitude. She is a coach’s dream,” Miller said.
Lopez, in moments of doubt, thought her sports career in high school might be her last. “Many times I thought I wouldn’t be able to play in college, and that this would be my last year.” Her perseverance was rewarded with several offers from universities, Alabama, Mississippi, and the University of New Orleans (UNO). She chose UNO, stating: “I chose UNO because it’s close to home, and I wanted to be close to my parents. Also, I really liked the university environment.”
The day she accepted the UNO offer was a milestone of immense family happiness. Her parents expressed the joy of seeing her dream come true: “That was the happiest day of my life. We took a weight off our shoulders, as we couldn’t imagine her going to college without playing volleyball. We’ve seen her journey, her sacrifices, and we’re happy she is fulfilling her dream.”
Finally, Lopez recognizes the pillar of her success: “My parents are my biggest support. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this. They made so many sacrifices, paid for all the trips, and always told me to hold my head up when I had a bad game.”
Mia Lopez, a living inspiration that discipline overcomes any obstacle. Her coach assures that UNO is receiving an excellent player and teammate, and Lopez is already eager to start the next chapter. “I’m ready to go to UNO and play with them tomorrow,” she ends
