Sometimes it doesn't matter how good you are.

It's how good others are.

The Butler boys volleyball team found that to be true last season on the way to a 10-6 record. Even though the team won seven more games, it just missed out on making the playoffs because of the rough-and-tumble section in which it played.

"We had a strong team last year," said Butler coach Lew Liparulo. "We missed making the playoffs by a game."

Seneca Valley was also in the same boat as Butler last year. Playing in a different, but just as difficult section, the Raiders also improved by seven games but missed the playoffs.

"This section is pretty tough," said Seneca Valley coach Jeff Beavers. "You have North Allegheny and Deer Lakes - there really isn't a match in this section where you really feel you can definitely win."

Both teams enter this season with the goal of trying to survive their tough competition.

It might be easier for Seneca Valley to do that than Butler.

The Raiders went 9-3 last season and have a slew of seniors returning.

Seneca Valley did lose stalwarts Mike Burke, Bill Getteny and Matt Gryskewicz, but its entire starting lineup this year could contain seniors.

Greg Beavers (back-court specialist) and Mike Eisenhuth (setter) will set the tables for Matt Cummings, Scott Brunner and Mike Coyne (outside hitters) and Steve Knight and Kyle Ward (middle hitters).

The only juniors in the equation are Jesse Lopez and Tim Knecht.

"This team is pretty senior-laden and experienced," Jeff Beavers said.

But with teams like NA roaming around, nothing is guaranteed.

Beavers was encouraged by the off-season involvement from his players and the fact that 65 boys came out for the team.

Beavers is pleased that, for the first time in the program's three years, he could focus on the more complicated strategies of the game this year as opposed to teaching the fundamentals.

"You can tell they are much more focused," Beavers said. "A few guys play (Junior Olympics)."

For Butler, the road might be a bit tougher.

The Golden Tornado lost many of the key performers who led them to the doorstep of a playoff berth.

The biggest loss was C.T. Gilliland, who led Butler in almost every category last year.

The team will also have to make up for the losses of Jon Rogerson and Matt Achesinski.

But the team is rich in juniors, led by Ricky Gonzales (middle hitter), Chris Erdos (outside hitter) and Ryan Walker (setter).

Also in the mix are juniors Garrett Rettig (outside hitter) and Shawn Vincent (setter) and sophomore Chris Falbo (middle hitter).

Liparulo is most concerned with his team's lack of height.

"We're going to have to use our quickness," Liparulo said. "I feel we can be competitive and we can find ourselves in a really good position with everyone back next year."

But then there's the section bugaboo. Everyone is in the same position.

"From top to bottom, this is the toughest section," Liparulo said. "Anyone can win the title."

Summit Academy coach Daniel Hrivnak could not be reached for comment. The Knights haven't won a match in three years and play in Seneca Valley's section.