Hopewell, Penn State grad excited for opportunity at 2012 Olympics

PITTSBURGH — Christa Harmotto is used to winning in volleyball.

At Hopewell high school, she was the state player of the year. While at Penn State, she won two national championships.

Harmotto now plays professionally in Italy, but all of that seems to pale in comparison to being selected to the Olympic team.

"The head coach started to talk. The first thing he said was 'We nominated you for the 2012 Olympic team, and you know you are going to London.' Once he said I was going to London, it was almost like I blacked out. It was like everything after I was so happy," she told Channel 11's Bill Phillips in a recent Skype interview.

Harmotto is happy she made the decision to try volleyball at the suggestion of her gym teacher

"It just goes to show you, you’re not going to know how something is going to work out unless you try it," she said.

Harmotto says a key to her success has been the ability to keep balance in her life both on and off the court.

She also has a great perspective on what it would mean to win gold in London.

"All of this is so much bigger than just me,” Harmotto said.  “Like I said, from the support of back home with my family and friends and the town and then all of my coaches that have a part of this journey -- you really know it’s something a lot bigger than you."

WPXI