BUFFALO TWP — For Seneca Valley, it was an opportunity to shore up its game before the WPIAL Quad-A playoffs.

For Freeport, it was an opportunity to play a juggernaut team heading into its foray into the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.

Both volleyball teams got what they wanted Wednesday night at Freeport Middle School.

Seneca Valley, though, also got the win in a 25-20, 25-14, 25-18 sweep of the Yellowjackets.

The Raiders (20-1) trailed just twice in the match — 1-0 and 2-1 at the start of the second set — and cruised to the sweep thanks to their dominance at the net.

“We've been off on our blocking lately, so tonight was a good night for us to get back on track,” said Seneca Valley coach Karen Martini. “It was a reality check that, yes, our blocking had really been down. We had to work on it.”

Freeport (13-3), good at the net in its own right, struggled to get the kills it is accustomed to getting.

Kristie Radvan led the Yellowjackets with eight kills and Katie Zingaro added five, but Seneca Valley countered with 15 blocks, most from senior Maria Alfano and junior Emily Devlin.

“We're all really connecting well together, finally,” said Alfano, who was also celebrating her 18th birthday Wednesday. “We were like a wall. It just takes a lot of talking and communication to get it just right.”

Seneca Valley established the kind of night it was going to be early, taking a 9-0 lead in the first set.

Freeport, though, was able to scratch back and cut the lead to 18-14, but the Raiders responded to take the first set, which ended up being the closest of the night.

Seneca Valley senior libero Bella Seman served eight consecutive points in that first set and also added a team-leading 12 digs.

“No matter who we play we always try to play the most consistent that we can,” Alfano said. “Tonight we really focused on our serving.

“The first couple of points in a game are always the most important because it sets the tone for the whole match,” Alfano added.

Devlin led the Raiders with 13 kills and Alfano added 11 kills.

Freeport coach Tom Phillips said he knew his Yellowjackets were going to have their hands full against Seneca Valley.

But that was what the veteran coach wanted.

“We needed to see that,” Phillips said. “It's one of those things that we're looking to make some changes here and there. Hannah Conner stepped up in that third game. Staying in system and passing the ball is the biggest thing with us.

“You like matches like this,” Phillips added, “because you want to see the way your kids will battle.”

Hannah Mason also had a strong night for the Yellowjackets with four kills and seven service points.

Phillips also lauded the play of junior setter Courtney Grubbs.

“The big thing is you can't be afraid to make changes,” Phillips said. “We switched things up a little bit. We got a spark from Courtney Grubbs.

“You don't like to condone losses,” Phillips said. “But sometimes you need them to learn something.”