When it comes to Seneca Valley boys volleyball, don't bother thinking about the playoffs.

They're a given.

The Raiders have qualified for the playoffs four years in a row and have missed out only twice in the program's seven-year history.

Despite graduating 11 seniors, Jeff Beavers, who has coached the team since its inception, doesn't see the trend changing.

"Making the playoffs aren't even one of our goals anymore,"Beavers said. "We know we're going to be there.

"Our goal is to win another section title and get past the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. That's something we've never done."

Seneca Valley was primed to do so last year, when the team lost only two section games and finished in a three-way tie with North Allegheny and Shaler for the section crown.

Then the Raiders were upset by Fox Chapel, 3-2, in the WPIALquarterfinals.

The team's lone returning starter is senior middle hitter Conor Barrett, who won the WPIALtitle in the high jump last spring and will return to the Raiders track and field team this spring.

"We're sharing him,"Beavers said. "I expect him to be a role model this year, but I expect all our seniors to be role models.

"I expect our lineup to be senior dominated every year, with the junior class stepping in and filling those roles the following year."

Other seniors expected to see plenty of playing time include backcourt specialists Tyler Baldauf and Danny Coyne, outside hitters Ryan Bernhard, Luke McKinney and Cody Knight, middle hitter John Fitzpatrick and weak-side hitter Zack Wahal.

Seneca Valley's setter is junior Mark DeMarco. Six-foot-7 junior Paul Kurlac will see action at middle hitter, junior John Hewko is a backcourt specialist and junior Alex Muckle a weak-side hitter.

Seneca Valley, which is joined in Section 2 by Butler, Fox Chapel, North Allegheny, North Hills and Shaler, opens the season March 25 at Fox Chapel.

Butler

Lew Liparulo has been the Golden Tornado's coach since the program began in 1994. Butler was 6-9 last year, losing a 3-1 decision to Hempfield in the first round of the playoffs.

Five senior regulars, Cody Clark, Justin Holt, Josh Snodgrass, Brandon Konieczni and Walter Santa, graduated. Returning regulars are senior setter Luke Lombardo, senior defensive specialist Steven Hitcher, senior outside hitter Rob Soldner, junior middle hitter Billy Roberts and junior outside hitter Andrew Willison.

"Our kids put in a lot of time in the offseason and we should be a decent team,"Liparulo said. "We should be up there among the top three teams, but you never know."

Two other seniors expected to see plenty of action are outside hitter Andrew Shakley and middle hitter Adam Keelan.

Other backcourt specialists include senior Bill Trombatt and juniors Josh Aggas, Andrew Henry, Steve Vollmer, Dan Miller and Chris Geigel.

"If we pass the ball well, we'll have a strong offense,"Liparulo said. "Billy (Roberts), Andrew (Willison) and Shakley can all hit the ball with power.

"Our section had three of the top four seeded teams in the playoffs last year. It's the strongest section out there. You have to bring your best game every night."

Butler opens the season March 22 at the Norwin Tournament.