Russ Rose Then (2008): “Christa, at times last year, was as dominant a player as I saw in the country. I’ve felt since her freshman year that our prospects for success are based on her health and our ability to get her the ball. She is a dedicated team player, a great leader, and certainly one of the top players in the country at her position. Her numbers were off the chart last year and I would expect another great year from her.”
Russ Rose Now (2025):
Before Penn State: Three-year volleyball letterwinner and two-year basketball letterwinner at Hopewell High School in Hopewell Township, Pa. … team captain for the Vikings in 2004 … Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year in 2004 … two-time Prep Volleyball High School All-American … 2004-2005 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Female High School Athlete of the Year … a member of the 2004 USA Women’s Junior National Team that won the NORCECA Championship in Winnipeg, Canada … also selected to the 2005 USA Junior National Team that competed in Ankara, Turkey, at the FIVB Under-20 World Championships … two-time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Athlete of the Week … Mizuno First Team All-American following senior season, also picking up Beaver County Times, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Female Athlete of the Year accolades … two-time first team all-state, all-WPIAL and all-section … posted a scholastic team record of 75-4 through three years … recorded a school-record 186 blocks during junior season in 2003 … also posted a school-record .595 hitting percentage in senior year to go along with 448 kills, 376 digs and 172 blocks … led the team to a No. 1 ranking in the state of Pennsylvania and the 2004 section, WPIAL and state championships, winning every tournament entered prior to the postseason … also section and AA WPIAL champions in 2002 and 2003 … helped Hopewell to a 59-0 record against WPIAL opponents from 2001 to 2005 and a 103-match winning streak against section opponents … member of the Pittsburgh Renaissance Volleyball Club that qualified for the Junior Olympic Nationals in 2004 and 2005 … member of the National Honor Society … earned the KDKA Extra Effort Award … a four-year scholar athlete … named the Lions Club Student of the Month … was a member of the Principal’s Student Leadership Advisory Board.