Katie Schumacher won a national championship with the women's volleyball team last season and was an All-American as sophomore. Now, as a junior, Schumacher has another challenge — to help add a women's basketball title to her resume.

While it's rare that athletes often play two positions in most sports, it's even rarer that athletes have the ability to play two sports full time, but Katie will attempt to do just that.

Schumacher will join the Penn State women's basketball team after the volleyball season is over. Although she will not see action with the Lady Lions team until after Christmas, she will spend twice a week watching film and preparing for the upcoming season.

"I think it's exciting for her and I wish her the best of luck," outside hitter Mishka Levy said.

In the past, Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland has been hesitant to take on a player from another sport, but for Schumacher, who was considered one of the best high school basketball players in the state of Illinois, Portland made an exception.

"Katie plays (basketball) all the time in Rec Hall and has promised to give us more than a one year commitment," Portland said. "I wouldn't often do this for just anyone, since we tried this once before a couple of years back and that did not pan out."

When Katie joins the basketball team full time, her scholarship will transfer from full-time volleyball to full-time basketball for the remainder of her college career.

What that means is Portland's open scholarship that she has this season will be used when Schumacher joins the squad. This will give Penn State women's volleyball coach Russ Rose another scholarship in the upcoming fall.

"I'm excited about basketball for the team this season," Schumacher said. "I have thought about it for a while and really like playing. Basketball is fun and I hope I can help out wherever Mrs. Portland needs me."

Although it appears obvious that the 6-foot-3-inch outside hitter will play in the low post for the Lions basketball team, Schumacher said she is willing to play wherever she gets an opportunity.

"I think when she joins the team we will need a break and want someone fresh in there," Penn State forward Rashana Barnes said.

While Katie will look to excel on center court come January, she knows that she still has to focus on what brought her here — taking care of the hardwood while helping prepare the Lions to defend the NCAA crown in volleyball.

And after this weekend she appears to be doing just that, as she tallied 22 kills in helping the volleyball team win a pair of matches against Michigan and Michigan State in Rec Hall.