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MOON TWP - The Seneca Valley Raiders' performance in their first two games Friday ensured them of a spot in Saturday's PIAA Class AAA volleyball semifinals.

But they will enter the action in an unfamiliar position.

After sweeping both Villa Maria Academy and Bishop Shanahan, the Raiders (16-2) fell victim to a sweep at the hands of the Susquehannock Warriors.

Susquehannock (24-1) took the hard-fought match by scores of 25-21, 25-20 and 25-22 at Robert Morris University's Sewall Center.

"That was the first time all season that we lost the first game of a match," said Seneca Valley coach Heather Haff. "We aren't used to that."

The Raiders' attempt to rebound will come against District 3's Hempfield in a semifinal match at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Sewall Center. Susquehannock will take on State College at the same time on an adjacent court, with the winners meeting at 5:30 p.m. for the state title.

The Raiders, who were a perfect 18-0 in postseason games before the match, knew the Warriors were far from a pushover.

"It was a good challenge for us," said Haff. "We knew (Susquehannock) would be a tough team and would make it frustrating for us at times."

Like the Raiders, Susquehannock also had secured a spot in the semifinals before the match.

"There was definitely something to play for," said Warriors coach Mick Gilbert. "We knew the winner would get the lower seeded team from the other pool."

Seneca Valley and Susquehannock met in the championship match of last year's State College Tournament, also won by the Warriors.

"We have a lot of respect for Seneca Valley," said Gilbert. "We knew coming in that they are a big team with an excellent setter. They bring a lot of heat on the ball."

Though all three games were closely contested, the Raiders' best chance to take a game came in the third contest.

Seneca Valley led 21-19 late, but three service points from Jessica Kitlas put the Warriors ahead for good.

Seneca's outside and middle hitters learned early on that they were dealing with a different-caliber team.

Balls they were used to gobbling up for spikes were being saved and returned by the Warriors.

"You could see the frustration on the (Seneca Valley) players' faces," said Gilbert. "The volleys were lasting longer and longer. We're used to that kind of play, but I don't think Seneca Valley is."

"I thought we played well overall," said Haff. "But we just broke down a few times with our discipline on defense and we made some errors. All those things add up."

Laura DuBois led Seneca with 11 kills while Laurie Lindner (10) and Lindsey Skorupan (nine) turned in solid performances as well.

Susquehannock's Kara Knapke tallied 15 kills for the York County team, which has two state titles to its credit (1999, 1974).

The Raiders' win over Villa Maria Academy came by scores of 25-18, 26-24 and 25-16. They disposed of Bishop Shanahan by finals of 25-13, 25-12 and 25-21.