empecé: I began [empezar]
baloncesto: basquetball
hermana mayor: older sister
voleiból: vollyball
quedé: I remained
tuve: I had [tener]
oportunidad: opportunity
ganar: to win, earn
beca: scholarship
AWC: Arizona Western College
estuve: I was [estar]
me fui: I went off to [irse]
finalmente: finally
me gradué: I graduated [graduarse]
pude: I could, I managed to [poder]
terminar: complete, end [terminar]
carrera: career, degree
decidí: I decided [decidir]
quería: I wanted to [querer in imperfect form]
quedé: I remained [quedarse]
me gustó: I liked it