JACKSON TWP — The tradition is there, but the big question at the start of the season was whether or not the experience was there as well.

The Seneca Valley volleyball team entered 2009 having graduated a solid core of seniors that went 17-3 and sparking concern about its place in competitive section.

"I was hopeful. I knew we had the talent," said Raiders coach Karen Martini, who has guided the squad to the WPIAL semifinals in all four of her years with the program.

After a 4-3 start, Seneca Valley has reeled off 12 consecutive wins, including 3-0 playoff victories over Ringgold and Baldwin.

Seneca Walley will play North Allegheny in the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals at 7:30 p.m. today at North Hills with the winner grabbing one of the two PIAA qualifying spots.

The Raiders' last loss was a 3-1 setback against those same Tigers on Sept. 23. They did knock off NA Oct. 20 at home as the teams were section co-champions with 10-2 records.

"I think it was because no one expected us to do it and sometimes that's a good thing," Martini said on her team's fortunes. "We keep drilling it. Sometimes it works out better."

"At the beginning, we had a really good stretch," said senior outside hitter Megan Condit. "Then we had a letdown. We hit a rough patch against NA and Pine-Richland, but we've gotten back on track."

The Raiders have only four seniors, all of whom start on a predominately young squad.

Condit, defensive specialist Hallie Ganch, setter Sarah Metarko and middle hitter Kelly Treser bring a wealth of experience to the squad.

"They've been at this three years in a row (finishing at the WPIAL semifinals but no state playoffs) and they want to get past it," Martini said. "That's what drives them."

"We knew we lost some big seniors from last year," said sophomore setter Alex Karika. "We knew if we could work hard, we had the potential to do good."

Metarko saw things starting to come together late in the season, which included wins against the Rams and Tigers

"In our last few section games we've been really strong," Metarko said. "I thought then that we could be really good."

Ganch saw the pieces of the puzzle coming together before the start of the season.

"We did a lot of team bonding," Ganch said. "In the summer, we came together as a team, whether it was running or playing on the sand courts."

Rounding out the rest of the starters are junior libero Alyssa DiMaria and sophomores Karika, Catie Seman and outside hitter Meghan Drambel.

The trio of sophomores gained valuable experience and have made the transition an easier one for the team.

"The key for us is the next couple of years is those sophomores," said Martini. "They're already at the level of a senior, and it's been a nice mix for the team."

"I think no matter how young a team you are, it's a mental game," said Treser. "As long as you stick together, you'll be all right."

The team also enjoyed success in tournament play, having placed first at the Shaler Tournament and finishing runner-up at the State College Tournament.

Now, with a section title under their belts, the Raiders are looking to get past the stumbling block they've faced since winning the WPIAL championship back in 2004.

"We came in as underdogs and we were able to come out on top," said Seman.

"After the past few years of reaching the semis, we're getting to be a team that wants to get past the semis and not end there."