PITTSBURGH — At times, Angela Seman found it hard to sit on the bench and watch a volleyball match.

The Seneca Valley graduate was used to playing a critical role as a libero for the Raiders as well as for her club teams.

But in her first year at the University of Pittsburgh, she was red-shirted.

Seman, though, refused to see it as a negative.

She turned it into a positive instead.

“I got a year to practice and watch,” Seman said. “I still have four years to play libero in college. It was for the better.”

Seman may be playing a lot more volleyball in the future.

She played for the Panthers in the spring season.

She also has already gotten a taste of high-level competition last month when she and two of her Panther teammates traveled to Pula, Croatia to participate in the 2015 European Global Challenge in mid-July.

Seman admitted to be a bit shocked when Pitt women's volleyball coach Dan Fisher asked her if she wanted to go represent her country as a member of Team Bring It Promotions.

“My coach called me up and said do you want to go play volleyball in Croatia,” Seman said. “I was like, 'Yeah. Sure.'”

Fisher and former Pitt volleyball players Kate Yeazel and Jessica Wynn competed in the event last year.

Seman was sure to pick their brains about the journey.

Once in Croatia, Seman and her team played seven matches by international rules.

That meant Seman, as a libero, was not permitted to serve.

“There were some differences,” Seman said. “But it was an awesome experience. It was amazing meeting new girls and being there with two of my teammates (Amanda Orchard and Mariah Bell).”

Another highlight of the trip for Seman was seeing new things.

“We started off in Slovania and there were beautiful mountains. It was unbelievably beautiful and the cities were just old, but very cool,” Seman said. “Then we got to Croatia and we were near the coast. The ocean was crystal clear. Even when you went out in it, you could still see the bottom. It was just crazy to be in a different part of the world.”

Seman is now excited for the next chapter of her career.

She said she is shooting for ample playing time for the Panthers this season at libero.

Last year's standout libero, Delaney Clesen, graduated.

“I'm very hopeful,” Seman said. “I was upset a little last preseason when I didn't get into a couple of matches and didn't seem to be playing a lot. Then the coach told me he wanted to redshirt me and I understood.

“This year, so far, we're looking good. We have a pretty big incoming class coming in and a grad assistant who has a year of eligibility left who looks like she's going to be a big gun for us.”