PINE TWP — While playing volleyball for the University of Pittsburgh, Angela Seman was part of history.

Now the Seneca Valley graduate hopes to build a whole new success story.

Seman was recently named head coach of the Pine-Richland High School girls volleyball team. A 2018 Pitt graduate, she played for the first Panthers team to share an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and the first to win an ACC title outright.

Pine-Richland received more than 10 applicants for the opening. Rams athletic director T.J. Salopek was hired as A.D. during the volleyball interview process. He said Seman was one of five applicants who received a second interview.

“She's special. Angela brings a balance of professionalism and being a fierce competitor,” Salopek said. “She's a special hire, a tremendous addition to our program.”

Seman advanced to the NCAA Tournament three successive years with Pitt. A four-year starter at libero for the Panthers, she holds the program's career digs record of 1,851.

“I never had the goal of becoming a coach,” Seman admitted. “While at Pitt, I was asked to come back and help out as an assistant for the travel team I played for (Pittsburgh Elite). I wanted to give something back to the sport, so I did it.

“When I walked on the court for my first practice as a coach ... I loved it.”

Seman becomes P-R's third volleyball coach in three years. Shawn Grady, the Rams' boys volleyball coach, coached the girls team on an interim basis last year.

Also a teacher — serving as a private instructor for five families last year — Seman is interviewing for elementary school teaching positions at Pine-Richland and North Allegheny.

She's discovered her teaching skills work in volleyball as well.

“Teaching and volleyball are my two passions, so why not combine them?,” she reasoned. “I love the idea of developing young volleyball players and athletes into self-confident young women.”

Salopek said Seman's value of education set her apart during the interviews.

“She is very passionate about trying to get the girls prepared as student-athletes for life after high school,” he said.

After two years as an assistant coach with Pittsburgh Elite's 15 and 16-year-old teams, Seman became the head coach this year. She also served as a varsity assistant and junior varsity coach for Fox Chapel last fall.

“We were one of the smallest schools in the league and had a smaller pool of athletes,” she said. “My JV team won only one section game all year.”

Pine-Richland finished 10-6 last year, advancing to the second round of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs after placing third in its section.

“When I was in high school, we beat Pine-Richland in the WPIAL championship match in 2011,” Seman recalled. “They (Rams) haven't done much since then.

“This school has very good players. My goal is to return them to that level, get the program to the point where it's competing for WPIAL championships on a regular basis.”

With Seman in the gym with the girls for only two weeks, Salopek said “there's already a positive vibe in the program. The girls know what Angela has accomplished in the sport. They respect her and look up to her.

“She has some talented girls to work with here. There's going to be a transitional period with a new head coach, but with her competitive fire, love for the sport, commitment and focus, I have no doubt Angela is going to create an elite program here,” Salopek added.

Seman was a four-year starter at Seneca Valley. She was a defensive specialist and outside hitter as a player, making All-WPIAL and all-state teams.

Yet she insists it won't feel awkward when she returns to her alma mater as head coach of the opposing team.

“Nah ... not at all,” Seman said. “Last year with Fox Chapel, we played there and they introduced me over the p.a. system, talked about my accomplishments (at SV), it was really nice being recognized that way.

“But that's all done with.”

Seman is just thrilled to still be involved in the game. Her sisters, Cate and Isabella, played collegiately at Rhode Island and Elon, respectively.

“I've been around volleyball all my life,” Seman said. “This doesn't feel like a job. It's a passion for me.”