ROSS TWP — A WPIAL title would be nice.

But the Seneca Valley girls volleyball team has its sights on a bigger prize: a state title.

The Raiders (19-2) punched their ticket to the WPIAL Class AAA finals by sweeping North Allegheny, 29-27, 25-23, 25-17, at North Hills High Thursday night.

Seneca Valley also secured a spot in the PIAA playoffs.

The prime goal for teams usually is a WPIAL championship. What happens in the state tournament is gravy.

“Not us,” said Seneca Valley coach Karen Martini. “We're not writing off WPIALs, but their goal is states.”

Junior middle hitter Cate Seman said the state tournament always has been the Raiders' top goal.

Seman made sure her team got a chance at a PIAA berth with a menacing game at the net, recording 15 kills and several blocks.

Seneca Valley got a bit of a preview of what the state tournament might look like earlier this season with trips to play some of the top programs on the Eastern side of the state.

Seman said that helped the Raiders for the state playoff push they hope to make.

“It helped to see other teams,” Seman said. “State College, Parkland, Hempfeld they are all great teams and we're probably going to see them.”

In the latest Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class AAA poll, Seneca Valley was No. 2, State College No. 3, Parkland No. 4 and Hempfield No. 5.

The Raiders will face top-ranked Pine-Richland in the WPIAL final Saturday at Franklin Regional. Seneca Valley's only two losses this season have come against the Rams.

“It's been great to see that kind of competition,” Seman said.

North Allegheny (13-5) gave the Raiders some trouble in the first two sets, but the Raiders found a way to eke out wins.

In the first set, Seneca Valley had set-point three times before finally getting the win.

“The first set was the toughest,” Martini said. “I really wanted that first set under our belt.”

The Raiders fell behind 9-3 in the second set before rallying. Seman put an end to it with a kill to give Seneca Valley a 2-0 lead.

After that, North Allegheny's will was broken.

The Raiders led 14-5 in the third set and cruised to the victory.

“After they came back (in the second set), I knew it,” Martini said. “I knew it was over.”

Junior outside hitter Meghan Drambel added 13 kills and senior libero Alyssa DiMaria was all over the court, making diving digs and accurate passes.

Martini said this may have been the best all-around game her team has played this season.

“They became a family tonight,” Martini said.