Seneca Valley's boys volleyball program hasn't been around all that long.

But fifth-year coach Jeff Beavers —the only coach in the program's history — says it is among the most consistent in the school.

"We've only had one losing season in four years and we've been to the (WPIAL)playoffs twice already,"he said. "This year, the expectations are really high."

And well they should be. The Raiders are coming off a 9-3 season, a runner-up finish to North Allegheny in section play and a second-round WPIALplayoff loss to Upper St. Clair.

Their only graduation loss is Drew Snyder, now a swimmer at Grove City College.

The bulk of Seneca Valley's talent is in the junior class. Dan Beebe is the setter, Justin Hoffman is a middle hitter and Adam Beebe, Dan Follett and Mike Emling are outside hitters the Raiders will lean on this season.

Senior P.J Duffy is another middle hitter with fellow senior Zach Lukes serving as a back-court player.

"I'm thinking we'll be pretty strong for the next four years,"Beavers said. "Our younger kids are learning from our juniors and success breeds success.

"We're one of the stronger boys (athletic)programs at Seneca Valley. We keep getting kids who want to play."

The Raiders hope to knock North Allegheny from its perch as section champion. The top three WPIALsquads advance to the state tournament.

"Reaching states is one of our goals, too,"Beavers said. "We have a possibility of contending for the WPIALtitle. Fox Chapel and Montour are two of the favorites and North Allegheny is always good."

Butler was strong last season, putting together a 14-4 record and a season that didn't end until a fifth-game, two-point loss to Hempfield in the third round of the WPIALplayoffs.

The Golden Tornado are dealing with a number of graduation losses this year, including Chris Erdos, Rick Gonzalez, Garrett Rettig, Ryan Walker, Matt Wickline, Zack Wilms and Mike Bellis.

Lew Liparulo returns for his 13th year as Butler's coach.

"We have an entirely new look this season,"Liparulo said. "Even the guys who are back will have to adjust. We lost our whole support system in terms of passing and that's something we'll have to work at."

Butler will play a 5-1 this year for the first time in three seasons. Shawn Vincent, a senior, will be the setter.

"He has really worked on being a setter,"Liparulo said. "He has the potential to be one of the best in the section."

Five seniors anchor the Tornado lineup:back-row specialist Ryan Collins, middle hitters Chris Falbo and Devin Koehring, defensive specialist Andy Weiland and Vincent.

Junior Cody Clark will be the team's libero, or strictly back-row player. Fellow juniors Justin Holt (weak-side hitter), Walter Santa (outside hitter) and Josh Snodgrass (defensive specialist) will also see action.

Bill Roberts, a freshman, may see time as a hitter as well.

"We expect to be decent, but that doesn't always mean a decent won-loss record,"Liparulo said. "Our section is awfully strong."

The top three teams in each section make the WPIALplayoffs.

Seneca Valley opens the season Friday at the St. Charles Tournament in Ohio. Butler begins play Friday at Avonworth.