Q: Talk about your first encounter with sports...

A: I started playing soccer very early. Growing up in Europe, everyone in the neighborhood played, regardless of age, and games were always going, no matter what time of day it was. Some of my very favorite childhood memories involve playing soccer outside my house.

Q: What led or motivated you to play?

A: My family was always sport-oriented. If we weren't playing sports, we were watching them. I had grown up watching my brother play basketball, and when I got old enough I wanted to be like him and try playing too. He has been an inspiration for me throughout my playing career.

Q: In your hometown, what was the sports culture like for girls?

A: In Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where I grew up, there were not many opportunities for girls to play organized sports. There were very few sports facilities and clubs available to young girls, and they were spread out all over the country. Youth sports, in general, were not very prioritized.

Q: How did you get to where you are today and what would you attribute that to?

A: Becoming a college athlete requires a lot of hard work and dedication, and there are constant struggles an athlete has to deal with along the way. What I am especially thankful for and what has attributed to my success is the tremendous support I have received throughout my career. I have been lucky enough to have been surrounded by great teammates and coaches, and wonderful parents who have unconditionally supported me through everything.

Q: What has playing sports done for you?

A: Playing sports has had many positive effects on me. It has taught me life lessons about interacting with people, getting through setbacks, and believing in myself. Being involved in sports has also made me manage and organize my time efficiently. More importantly, though, sports have provided me with so many wonderful relationships and memories. A lot of my close friendships today are a result of my involvement in sports.

Q: At what point did you realize you wanted to go to an Ivy League school?

A: Making my college decision was particularly stressful for me. I had many great options available to me, and had a hard time choosing just one. However, after I got accepted into Harvard fall of my senior year, the decision got a lot easier. It was very hard to turn down a school offering the best of both worlds - a world-class education and a strong athletics program. I could not go wrong in choosing Harvard.

Q: Is there a certain athlete you admire and why?

A: I have great admiration for Toni Kukoc, the Croatian NBA basketball player. Having followed his career since he was just a teenager and having seen him rewarded for all his hard work has been incredible. He is an inspiration, someone who put everything on the line to accomplish his dreams.

Q: What is the significance of Title IX to you?

A: Without Title IX, I would not have had the opportunities to do and accomplish things I have so far in my career. Title IX has allowed me to get involved in something I love, and to play my sport at the highest of levels.

Q: In your opinion, what has been a shining moment in women's sports?

A: There have been several, however one that particularly sticks out in my mind is the women's soccer World Championship game in 1999. Never do I remember there being more interest in and enthusiasm about a women's sports event than then.

Q: What would you tell young girls who are interested in getting to where you are now?

A: I would encourage young girls to get involved in whatever interests them and to work hard at it, however, to also remember that the most important thing is to enjoy yourself while doing it. If you play sports or get seriously involved in any activity for any other reason, it is not worth it.