JACKSON TWP — Perhaps Kelly Treser didn't swing her powerful right arm at the ball with enough authority.

Maybe she didn't do enough to distinguish herself from an overflow of talented players all competing for a roster spot on the Seneca Valley girls volleyball team.

Whatever the reason, Treser failed to make the cut as a junior.

"I had to prove myself and I guess I didn't do it," Treser said. "I was totally convinced I would not play volleyball for (Seneca Valley) again."

But Treser didn't give up so easily. She played well for her summer club team and tried again to earn a spot on the Raiders' roster this fall.

The senior middle hitter ended up doing much more. Not only did Treser make the team, she was a star, helping Seneca Valley make a deep run in the state playoffs.

The player who was cut just a season before ended up being named one of the 50 best players in the state by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association last week.

Treser was joined on the group's All-State team by teammates Cate Seman and Alex Karika — the first time the Seneca Valley program has had three players on the list.

"My goal was just to make the team," she added. "Then the all-section team came out, and I was on it and I said to myself, 'Wow. That's awesome.' Then the all-state team came out. I was totally blown away."

Seneca Valley volleyball coach Karen Martini, who saw how motivated Treser was from the start, wasn't surprised by the selection.

"Kelly came to play this year," Martini said. "She just brought a huge fire to the court."

Treser has parlayed her newfound volleyball success into perhaps four more years, as she will play at Penn State-Behrend next season.

"I really thought after this season, my volleyball career was over," Treser said. "I had some other places show interest in me, but Penn State-Behrend was the best fit for me."

While Treser fought to resurrect her career, the volleyball paths of Seman and Karika have been a great deal smoother.

Both sophomores, Seman and Karika have emerged as two of the best players in the state.

Seman, a middle hitter, made the coaches' all-state tournament team as well.

"I've coached a lot of kids over the years, but Cate has unique talent," Martini said. "She is very team oriented and a total leader."

Seman was more pleased about her two teammates making the team.

"It just means so much to me to be able to share it with them," Seman said. "I just hope we can keep it going and win a championship before we leave."

With her setting ability, Karika helped make Treser and Seman look good at the net.

Martini has coached Karika since she was in seventh grade.

"She just cruised," Martini said. "It's just been easy sledding for her."

Like Seman, Karika was happy to have teammates share the honor.

"It's awesome knowing that we are playing together and we get recognized together," Karika said.

Treser finds herself in awe of Seman's and Karika's abilities on the court.

"Alex and Cate making the all-state team — no surprise there," she said. "They are amazing athletes and they are going to go far in this sport."

Martini said having three all-state players speaks to how far the program has come.

Seneca Valley has sent 11 players on to college volleyball in the last three years — four to Division I schools.

"Playing as a team, practicing hard and talent — it's just developing into kicking butt," Treser said.