When it comes to college, most elite athletes have one tough decision to make.

Sara Hattis had two.

Not only did the 6-foot-4 volleyball middle blocker and basketball post from Cleveland (Rio Rancho, N.M.) have to choose among the numerous schools that were offering her scholarships, but she also had to decide between volleyball and basketball.

Basketball was her first love – she started competing when she was 5 – and it was the sport her 6-8 father, Bill, played in college at the University of Arizona. Her star quickly rose, and she is the No. 78 player in the ESPNU HoopGurlz Top 100 for the 2012 class.

In contrast, Hattis got a late start in volleyball, playing competitively for the first time when she was 12. But because she has come so far so fast in volleyball, her upside in the sport is considered to be enormous.

“I love both sports,” Hattis said. “I have a passion for both.”

Hattis, though, said she wanted to focus on only one sport in college so she can reach her full potential.

In the end, she chose the thrill of the kill in volleyball over the dream of the dunk in basketball.

Once she settled on her sport, Hattis’ life-altering choices were only half-done.

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