ELON, N.C. — When Bella Seman was looking for a college after a standout career on the volleyball court at Seneca Valley, she wanted to pick one where she could make a difference.

Elon University appealed to her.

Elon was a struggling program coming off a string of poor seasons and a slew of conference losses.

Seman wanted to be a part of a volleyball renaissance with the Phoenix.

“Looking at our freshman class, we all wanted to turn this program into something special,” Seman said.

Seman and the Phoenix are in the process of doing just that.

Elon qualified for the Colonial Athletic Association tournament for only the second time in school history

“We were picked to finish low in the conference and we finished fifth,” said Elon head volleyball coach Mary Tendler. “But we know we can do better.”

But it was a good first step for the Phoenix, who kicked off the season with a big upset over defending CAA champion Hofstra.

“People were saying, 'I can't believe Elon beat Hofstra,'” Seman said. “It was a great feeling to hear that. We've been seen in the conference as a losing team. We want to move into the upper class.”

That's still a work in progress.

Elon has had an uneven season, going 13-17. But the Phoenix have stood toe-to-toe against the powers on their schedule and went 7-9 in the conference a season after going 4-12.

Seman's return to the floor as a libero has been a big part of that.

Last year the Seneca Valley graduate had an injury-plagued year.

Two concussions derailed her and wiped out most of her campaign.

“I was out for the majority of the season, but I got a different perspective,” Seman said. “I got to know my teammates better and my coaches better.”

Seman suffered her first concussion early in September, but didn't realize it until she was watching her sister, Angela, play at the University of Pittsburgh.

“I just didn't feel right,” she said.

When the trainer at Elon examined her, he said, “Yeah, you're really concussed, Bella.”

She recovered and returned to the court.

That didn't last long.

Midway through her second match back, Seman suffered another concussion when she collided with a pair of her teammates, taking an elbow and a knee to the head.

Now healthy, Seman is back doing the things that made her a star at SenecaValley as a libero.

She leads the team in digs with 315 and is also second on the team in service aces with 24.

“Bella is so athletic and she really moves well,” Tendler said. “No one can question her drive.”

Seman also has a strong drive off the volleyball court.

She is the arena host for the Elon men's basketball games and works for the student television station as on-air talent.

Seman wants to be a political reporter and will cover the Iowa caucus for the Elon News Network.

“I'm passionate about sports and journalism,” Seman said.

She's also passionate about winning — no matter what it takes.

“She has two freshmen at her position and she's been great with them,” Tendler said. “She works with them and answers all of their questions. She's a co-captain and she works so hard.”