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

A: When I was five years old, my parents signed me up for pee-wee soccer, which was co-ed at that age leve. I used to score more goals than ll the other players on both teams combined. My dad said I was definitely an athlete, although I didn't know what that meant at five.

Q: What led or motivated you to play?

A: It was great fun and I loved the competition, not to mention the trophies. I also liked the idea of "team" sports and playing with my friends.

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

A: In Newport Beach, there were a lot of opportunities and support for athletics for both girls and boys. Entire famililes would come out and watch the high school and club teams play.

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

A: Partly it was in the genes, I guess. Secondly, it was because I really enjoyed sports and for the most part I liked the training. Thirdly, I had really good coaching and great support from my family and our community.

Q: What has playing sports done for you?

A: It has helped me develop my competitive nature, focus on goals, and work with others in cooperative endeavours. It has also helped me keep things in perspective. When I win, I enjoy it. When I lose, I'm over it in five minutes.

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

A: When I was a junior in high school, my sister, Marissa went to Princeton and played volleyball there. I saw that I could have an incredible education and at the same time, be able to play a competitive sport and not have it consume all of your time. I wanted a good balance between education and volleyball.

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

A: Logan Tom (Stanford University) is the female athlete I most admire! She has been able to have an incredibly successful volleyball career in college and on the National Volleyball Team and still be a great student. She's competed at the highest levels, both academically and athletically.

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

A: Title IX has given equal footing to women's sports. It's given so many opportunities to young female athletes that they might not have had otherwise. It also provided the chance for young female athletes to compete in high school and club sports that weren't available before Title IX.

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

A: I loved it when the women's U.S. National Soccer Team won the World Cup!!

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

A: Work hard, train hard, and have fun doing it!