Butler and Seneca Valley share lofty goals.

They also share a common hurdle to boys volleyball supremacy.

North Allegheny has won the past five WPIAL Class AAA championships and eight of the past nine.

The Tornado and Raiders each enjoyed success last season, but both programs want to take it a step further.

Butler went 11-7 in 2011 and fell one win short of the PIAA playoffs following a loss to Baldwin in the WPIAL third-place match.

“Our team goal is to make it deeper into the playoffs than last year,” said Butler coach Lew Liparulo. “We will strive for continual improvement of this program.”

The Tornado will have to make those strides with a new-look lineup which includes just three returning lettermen.

Xavier Krause, a senior outside hitter who received section, WPIAL and state recognition in 2011, returns to the squad. Senior middle hitters Jacob Black and Travis Myers are also back.

So far, Butler hasn't struggled with the limited experience.

The Tornado placed third of 16 teams at the Norwin Tournament last weekend and began its section schedule Tuesday with a 3-0 sweep of North Hills.

“We have worked very hard in the offseason and hopefully are prepared for the demands of Section 2-AAA,” said Liparulo. “We expect to be in the mix in May.”

Seneca Valley figures to be in the mix, as well.

The Raiders are coming off a 17-3 campaign in which they finished second in Section 2 and the WPIAL, behind North Allegheny in both cases.

“Every year we want to compete for championships in our section and the WPIAL,” said Seneca Valley coach Dan Mountain. “We're looking to improve a little bit this year.”

The Raiders seem to have the tools to do it.

Senior middle hitter Chad Albert and senior outside hitter Brian Pudlo are returning starters, while the rest of the rotation is filled out by upperclassmen.

“They jump high and hit hard,” said Mountain. “We can overpower a lot of other teams from our hitting and blocking at the net.

“We want to win those (section and WPIAL) championships and compete in the state tournament at the end of the year.”

Here's a look at both teams:

Butler

Coach: Lew Liparulo, 19th season

Last year: 11-7, fourth place in WPIAL

Top players lost: Mike Dreher (outside hitter), Dylan Snodgrass (defensive specialist), Dustin DeFrancisis (setter), Nelson Johnson (defensive specialist), Nick Kriley (defensive specialist), Derrick Wilbert.

Returning lettermen: Xavier Krause (senior, outside hitter/defensive specialist), Jacob Black (senior, middle hitter), Travis Myers (senior, middle hitter)

Key contributors: Steve Stauffer (senior, setter/weakside hitter), Cole Chamberlain (senior, setter), Zach Michel (senior, outside hitter), Matt Gilliland (senior, outside hitter), Luke Bryan (junior, weakside hitter), Ben Oesterling (junior, defensive specialist), Brandon Wampler (junior, outside hitter), Matt Huey (sophomore, middle hitter), Joshua Kaufman (sophomore, defensive specialist), Matt Rudzki (sophomore, defensive specialist), Peter Swain (sophomore, outside hitter.Seneca Valley

Coach: Dan Mountain, fourth season

Last year: 17-3, second place in WPIAL

Top players lost: Cam Knight (setter) and Zach Herrmann (outside hitter)

Returning starters: Chad Albert (senior, middle hitter) and Brian Pudlo (senior, outside hitter)

Key contributors: Max McCloskey (senior, setter), Alex Berner (senior, outside hitter), Tim Pecora (senior, setter), Eric Speicher (senior, middle hitter), Patrick Messer (senior), Kris Baier (junior)