Maria Alfano's strengths on the volleyball court are obvious.

It's hard to miss a 6-foot-2 middle hitter with a powerful swing.

But the Seneca Valley senior has endeavored to hone the other aspects of her game.

Particularly the skills that aren't immediately obvious.

“I've tried to lead more,” Alfano said. “I just think if we're all working together, we can accomplish some big stuff.”

Alfano has already accomplished some big stuff.

The bigger the stage, the more comfortable she is.

She spends her summers playing for the Pittsburgh Elite volleyball club and has participated in some intense national tournaments with that team.

“I like competing at the highest level,” Alfano said. “Here at Seneca Valley, we're competing at the highest level in Quad-A. For Pitt Elite, I'm on the highest team, the premiere team. I just like being on the court fighting for something big.”

That will carry over beyond high school for Alfano, who committed to play Division I volleyball at Robert Morris University next fall.

For Alfano, RMU was an easy choice.

“I love the coaches,” she said. “I love the girls and I just wanted to be close to home.”

Alfano is just the latest of several Raiders to move on to Division I collegiate programs.

Her teammate, senior Bella Seman, committed to play at Elon University in North Carolina around the same time Alfano made her college decision.

Seman is also Alfano's teammate on Pittsburgh Elite. Every player on that roster is heading to a Division I school, Alfano said.

“We all talked about it a lot — it was fun talking about all the coaches and all the programs and talking about what was the best for us,” Alfano said.

Seneca Valley volleyball coach Karen Martini is proud of churning out Division I college players.

“We work hard on mental toughness with the girls,” Martini said. “They play year-round and are a very dedicated group of girls. Every year we've been putting a couple of players at the Division I level.

“Maria is a leader on the court and she keeps everything at an even tone,” Martini added. “She doesn't usually get rattled. When she comes in, she gets points.”

Alfano moves on and off the floor based on the rotation.

That makes her job even more difficult. When she leaves the game, she hangs behind the Seneca Valley bench to watch the action and keep herself ready to re-enter.

“You just have to pay attention to all the rotations and know what's going on,” Alfano said. “Volleyball is a very big mental game.”

Alfano is hoping for some big things from herself and her team with the WPIAL playoffs around the corner.

The Raiders are 20-1 and have designs on a WPIAL title and a long run in the state tournament.

“We're feeling pretty confident this year,” Alfano said. “We're all friends, pretty much best friends, so we play really well together on the court.”