Growing up, Ahumada was the eldest of four children raised by their single mother. She naturally took on “mom” qualities and the burden of responsibility was never absent, which only prepared her for what was to happen next in her life.

While attending Cal State University Long Beach at the age of 21 she became pregnant.

“I didn't want to drop out of school. I had to drop out,” says Ahumada, 28. “Getting pregnant was not on my 'to-do' list, but I wouldn't have it any other way now.”

Her daughter Athena was born nine months later, and the joy of birth quickly became overshadowed by new and even harder challenges.

With no money, no job, and mostly no higher education, Ahumada and her daughter were kicked out of their apartment with only two months to find a new home.

“I wanted the best for my family and for my daughter, and I knew that getting my degree was going to make that happen,” Ahumada reflects.

Trying to find a place her daughter could call home while at the same time earning her degree in education was no simple task. She had to work graveyard shifts as a waitress and take classes during the day at Cal State Dominguez Hills. She says she could not have done it without her mother.

“She took care of Athena when I was away trying to balance school, work, being a mom, and still helping my other siblings,” Ahumada says.

However, as things appeared to be getting back to normal, Ahumada was hit with a heart-wrenching road block: Her mom was diagnosed with cancer.

“It really tested our family. I realized that I needed to surrender myself and let things take their course,” Ahumada says. “We got through it and it led me and my daughter to better opportunities.”

She began to receive financial aid for playing volleyball for the school, which enabled her to not have to work as much and gave her the time be the kind of mother she wanted to be.

Current CSUDH volleyball interim head coach Scott Davenport, who was an assistant coach at the time Ahumada joined the Toros' roster four years ago, knew he had someone special.

“Sophia has passion,” Davenport says. “She will go the extra mile or two to get the job done, even if no one acknowledges it.”

After spending two seasons on the court with the Toros, Ahumada was hired as an assistant coach in 2006 for the women's volleyball program in hopes of sharing her passion with others.

“Sophia is in charge of fundraising because she is one of the few who will set her mind to something and not stop until it has been accomplished,” Davenports says. “She's been there, and knows how important scholarships can be to a struggling college student.”

Ahumada is eternally grateful to the Athletics Department and teachers who have helped along the way.

“Toni Mariach, Dr. Zhou, Dr. Hancock, Coach Johnson, Tim McGuire, Ethan Kreiswirth, Theresa Cuarenta, Brendan Dally, Lisa Mabry, Lamel Harris, Mel Miranda and of course Coach Davenport,” begins Ahumada. “All of these people influenced me and helped me get to a point of contentment in my life today.”

Now the mother of a 7-year old, Ahumada says she'll never forget her place in the world and feels like it is her obligation to let others know there is more to life than the everyday routine.

“Struggles may bring you down but giving in to weakness is not bettering anyone's situation,” Ahumada says. “If I did not believe in a higher power, I would not be where I am today.”

In addition to working with the volleyball team at CSUDH, Ahumada also helps coach the boys and girls volleyball teams at her alma mater, Narbonne High School in Harbor City.

Ahumada will graduate this May with a degree in kinesiology and hopes to teach physical education to middle school students.