Meet Mila Ashby: Balancing Competitive Volleyball and Academics with USPA

Mila is a competitive volleyball player whose primary positions are setter and defender. Volleyball has taught her the importance of teamwork, communication, resilience, and adaptability. As her commitment to the sport grew, so did the need for an educational environment that could support the realities of training, travel, and competition.

As the family puts it:

“When we began exploring educational options, flexibility was our top priority.

Although we lived in Las Vegas, much of Mila’s volleyball competition took place in Southern California. Tournament weekends often required extensive travel, full days of competition, and recovery afterward. Balancing those commitments with a traditional school schedule tied to a physical classroom would have been challenging.

USPA offered the flexibility our family needed.

The online format allowed Mila to learn from anywhere, whether she was at home, traveling to a tournament, or recovering after a demanding weekend of competition. Rather than worrying about missed classroom instruction, she could continue progressing through her coursework while managing the unique schedule of a student-athlete.

One of the biggest benefits of USPA was the ability for Mila to work on a schedule that fit her needs. The flexibility allowed her to balance academics with practices, travel, tournaments, and recovery while continuing to make steady academic progress.

USPA also provided support through teachers and learning coaches who helped guide her throughout the year and encouraged her growing independence as a learner.

Some of the benefits we appreciated most included:

• Flexibility to learn from any location
• The ability to balance academics with practices, tournaments, and travel
• A personalized learning schedule rather than a fixed classroom timetable
• Time for physical recovery after competition weekends
• Support from teachers and learning coaches
• The opportunity to develop responsibility, independence, and time-management skills

Most importantly, USPA allowed academics and athletics to work together instead of competing with one another.”

“Our experience with USPA has been a positive one. The flexibility of the program allowed Mila to continue pursuing competitive volleyball opportunities while maintaining her academic progress.

As a student-athlete, her schedule often looks different from that of a traditional student. USPA gave her the ability to work through her courses at a pace that fit her individual needs while still providing structure, accountability, and support.

We also appreciated that learning was not tied to a physical location. Whether traveling for tournaments or managing a busy training schedule, Mila was able to remain connected to her education and continue moving forward academically.

Beyond academics, USPA helped Mila build confidence in managing her own responsibilities and balancing multiple commitments—skills that will benefit her throughout her life.”

“As Mila continues her educational journey and pursues new opportunities in volleyball, we are grateful to have found a school that recognizes that students have different goals, schedules, and ways of learning.

USPA has provided the flexibility, support, and structure that have allowed Mila to grow both as a student and as an athlete.”

Mila’s family shares:

Online learning isn’t just a trend—it’s a flexible, personalized approach to education that empowers students to thrive. At USPA, we provide:

• Flexibility to learn at your own pace and schedule
• Personalized support from experienced teachers and learning coaches
• Access to diverse courses that fit your interests and goals
• A safe, inclusive environment for every learner

If you’re looking for a school that adapts to your needs and helps you succeed, USPA might be the perfect fit.