Butler and Seneca Valley need no additional motivation when it comes to competing in boys volleyball.

Their section provides plenty of it.

“Three teams in our section were ranked among the top 10 in the state last year,” Golden Tornado coach Lew Liparulo said. “That's the nature of the beast and we're not shying away from it.

“We want to be able to play the best teams we can. When I schedule our exhibition matches, I'm not thinking about wins and losses. I'm thinking about putting together the most competitive schedule I can,” the coach added.

Butler reached the WPIAL playoffs for the fourth time in six seasons last year. Seneca Valley finished 11-1 in the section — tying North Allegheny for the section title — but suffered an early exit in the WPIAL playoffs.

“We go after the section title as an annual goal,” second-year Raiders coach Dan Mountain said. “That hasn't changed. But we've never gotten to the WPIAL championship game and we've never reached the state playoffs.

“Those are the goals this year.”

Fox Chapel joins North Allegheny and Seneca Valley as the section powers. Butler, Shaler, Pine-Richland and North Hills round out the seven-team league.

The top four teams advance to the playoffs.

Liparulo is in his 18th year as the Butler coach and is the only boys volleyball coach the school has ever had.

“We put our kids in a competitive league and with a travel team during the offseason,” Liparulo said. “We used two types of club volleyball to expose the kids to high levels of competition.

“Hopefully, this year, we'll reap the benefits of that.”

Both teams open the 2011 season Saturday. Butler will participate in the Norwin Tournament while Seneca Valley heads to the North Allegheny Tournament.

Here is a look at both teams:

ButlerCoach: Lew Liparulo, 18th year

Last Year: 6-7

Starters Lost: Josh Houston (outside hitter), Andrew Soldner (outside hitter), Chase Rodgers (defensive specialist), Spencer Koehring (middle hitter), Anthony Lewis (libero)

Returning Starters: Derek Wilbert (senior, outside hitter), Mike Dreher (senior, outside hitter), Dustin DeFrancisis (senior, setter), Nick Kriley (senior, defensive specialist), Dylan Snodgrass (senior, defensive specialist)

In The Mix: Nelson Johnson (senior, defensive specialist), Sam Stuckey (senior, defensive specialist), Keegan Walters (senior, outside hitter), Xavier Krause (junior, outside hitter), Jacob Black (junior, middle hitter), Travis Myers (junior, middle hitter)

Liparulo says: “We're playing really good defense right now and we're attacking a little better each day. I feel good about this team.”

Seneca ValleyCoach: Dan Mountain, second year

Last Year: 14-2

Starters Lost: Nate Steele (outside hitter), Nick Shaffer (outside hitter), Nate Hayden (middle hitter), Joe Price (back row specialist)

Returning Starters: Cam Knight (senior, setter), Ben Hart (senior, outside hitter), Brad Parrish (senior, middle hitter), Doug Coyne (senior, defensive specialist)

In the Mix: Zach Herrman (senior, outside hitter), Jack Moran (senior, middle hitter), Chad Albert (junior, middle hitter), Pat Kulp (senior, outside hitter), Matt Barrage (senior, defensive specialist)

Mountain says: “We lost a lot of kills and blocks from last year, but we've got a solid all-around team. The overall play of this team may take it pretty far.”