27 Facts About Christa Harmotto

Christa Deanne Harmotto Dietzen was born on October 12,1986 and is an American former professional volleyball player who played as a middle blocker for the United States women's national volleyball team.

Christa Harmotto played college volleyball for the Penn State women's volleyball team, and won back to back national championships in 2007 and 2008.

Christa Harmotto was born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and attended Hopewell High School in Aliquippa, where she was a three-year letterwinner in volleyball and two-year letterwinner in basketball.

Christa Harmotto was a member of the 2004 USA Women's Junior National Team that won the NORCECA Championship in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and was selected to the 2005 USA Junior National Team that competed in Ankara, Turkey, at the FIVB Under-20 World Championships.

Christa Harmotto played club volleyball for Pittsburgh Renaissance that qualified for the Junior Olympics.

Christa Harmotto was considered a top 15 recruit for the class of 2005.

Christa Harmotto is known as one of the nations top blockers, as she had 200 blocks in 2007 and 166 in 2008.

Christa Harmotto is an education major and was named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American of the Year in 2008.

Christa Harmotto has been named Academic All-Big Ten in 2006,2007 and 2008.

Christa Harmotto says her goals after her Penn State career is over is to play internationally and go to the Olympics.

Christa Harmotto set the Penn State record for blocks in a four-game match with 13 versus Southern California, and led the team in blocking with 1.50 blocks per game.

Christa Harmotto recorded at least six kills in 28 of 29 matches she played in.

Christa Harmotto was on her way to becoming a first or second team All-American before she tore her ACL in the last home match of the Big Ten, thereby missing every NCAA match.

Christa Harmotto recovered from her injury, and posted an impressive sophomore campaign.

Christa Harmotto helped Penn State to the NCAA Regional Final.

Christa Harmotto was named the Big Ten Player of the Year, was an AVCA First team All-American, was a Honda Award nominee for volleyball as the top player in the country, and was considered a frontrunner for the National Player of the Year.

Christa Harmotto played in 121 of Penn State's 122 games of the year and started all 36 matches.

Christa Harmotto had 200 blocks on the year and averaged 1.65 blocks per game, which tied for fifth in the nation and was second on the team.

Christa Harmotto equaled her career high of 17 kills with no errors to hit.

Christa Harmotto had 166 blocks for the season and finished the year third in the nation in blocks per set.

Christa Harmotto repeated as an AVCA First Team All-American and earned her second consecutive Honda Award nomination.

Christa Harmotto was selected to the US National Team roster that traveled to Cairo, Egypt in April 2009.

In May 2009, Christa Harmotto began to train with the US National Team.

Christa Harmotto participated in the 2009 Women's Pan-American Volleyball Cup in July, the 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix in August and the 2009 Final Four Intercontinental Cup in Lima, Peru in September.

At the Final Four Cup, Christa Harmotto was starter in all five matches.

Christa Harmotto averaged 0.95 blocks per set, totaled 19 blocks in five matches and was named the tournament's "Best Blocker".

Christa Harmotto helped Team USA to the gold medal match, where they lost to World No 1 Brazil in four sets.