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Hooking Up: Liz Masakayan Talks Dating
Beach Volleyball; two-time Olympian; a top-ranked player on the pro tour
For as long as I can remember, I was always into sports and always one of the popular kids. I started at age 10 with Little League. Then it was AYSO soccer and junior high track. I played volleyball but not on a team until 10th grade. Most of my friends were athletes and, being from California, skater and surfer dudes.
By the time I was 13, I was physically more mature than most of my friends. I had grown into my body at an early age, and I was already 5-foot-8-inches tall. With what I thought was my maturity and confidence, I easily became one of the leaders of the group. I was the kid who wasn't afraid to try things, and at times was also the instigator.
And at 13 and 14, that sometimes meant sex and drugs. There was a lot of flirting, pot and alcohol. We fooled around in the early stages of kissing and whatnot.
I don't remember any sex education in school, and I'm sure my mom gave me words of wisdom, but, unfortunately, I never listened. The kids sort of learned from each other. Early experimentation was an "adventure."
I remember my friend "S" telling her story of going all the way. We were only 14, but none of us were surprised or thought that it was a big deal. She had this huge crush on an older boy in 11th grade. And after it happened - she didn't even like it. It was all very sad, really.
It should have been a big deal! What about feelings? What about a real relationship - with someone who cares about you? It should have been a special time for her. It could have been sacred. But she was way too young to understand everything it should have involved, especially the right time.
Because I played three sports in high school and became much more involved with being an athlete, all my friends were teammates. We felt good about our accomplishments and shared similar goals. Then there were those who continued to get deeper into risky behaviors. They tried to make themselves feel better through sex and drugs. One of my friends even dropped out in 11th grade, pregnant, on the streets and high all the time.
But I had a different avenue that I was interested in going down. I became a lot more serious about sports. I think it helped me to have the sense to stop before I got into trouble. I was so attached to being an athlete because winning was a great feeling. (It still is!) I did not have to mess with those risky distractions. Sports were my major distraction. OK, and boys.
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