Her mother played basketball in college. Her father played basketball and tennis in high school. Her brother is the place-kicker at Duke.

So it seems only natural that she would be an athlete.

Christy Cochran, a senior at Bethlehem Catholic High School, is expected to sign her letter of intent today to play her favorite sport -- volleyball -- next fall for the Lady Lions.

"She's very athletic and ever since fifth grade, volleyball has been her favorite sport," said Betsy Cochran, Christy's mother. "I was kind of a tomboy and my husband is athletic, so I guess it runs in the family."

Christy was also recruited by Kentucky, Georgia and Texas. She made her decision in August after Coach Russ Rose offered her a scholarship.

"She went to Penn State summer camps for two years," Betsy Cochran said. "She loved the coaches and the girls. And from that point on she really wanted to go there."

At 5-feet-11-inches, Christy has developed much through vigorous workout sessions. She usually trains at a racquetball club four to five times a week, concentrating on weightlifting and aerobics.

"I was tall and skinny and not real big for the college level," she said. "I worked real hard to increase my vertical."

Her training has become a part of her life -- almost too much, her mother said.

"I tell her to take a break," Betsy Cochran said, "but she tells me she has to do this and this and that."

But right now, her training takes a back seat to basketball. With games and practices, she spends more time playing than training at the raquetball club. The Bethlehem Catholic basketball team (18-2) is currently No. 8 in the state in Class AAA and Christy is currently 57 points shy of breaking the 1,000-point mark.

"To tell you the truth, I'm not big on points," she said. "I would rather be known as an all-around player. It's nice, but it's not a big deal."

Since Christy has excelled in two sports, she once considered playing both in college. But her parents put an end to those thoughts quickly, and she was forced to make a decision. She chose the sport that comes naturally to her.

Last season, Christy -- who averaged more than 15 kills and five blocks per game for the team that finished third in the state -- was named to the Associated Press Pennsylvania All-State First Team. She was also named Volleyball Player of the Year by the Bethlehem Express-Times as a junior and a senior, something that has never happened before.

"She's very intense," said Jody Davis, head volleyball coach at Bethlehem Catholic. "She gives 110 percent all the time. She's agile, quick and a leader."

The only weak spot in Christy's game is her passing, Davis said, adding once she becomes a better passer, she will be the "total package."

"I love her," said Davis, who has coached Christy since the fifth grade. "She's like another daughter to me. She loves to amuse. I think if she would give up volleyball, Christy could be a comedian."

While growing up, Christy's role model was her older brother, Tom, who is four years her senior. They fought as typical kids do, but they also found themselves playing one-on-one basketball in the backyard.

"We fought in the beginning, but as we grew up it changed," Tom said. "I think it motivated her always hearing, 'You're Tommy's little sister.' Now when I go home, it's, 'You're Christy's big brother.' "

Between workouts, volleyball and basketball, Christy finds time to keep her grades up, always in the A-range. At the end of the last marking period, she was ranked 18th out of 203 students in her class. But all the hard work rarely gets her down.

"Her personality is a plus," Tom said. "She's very friendly, she's rarely upset and she's always got a big smile on her face."