JACKSON TWP - When it comes to heavy hitters, Seneca Valley's volleyball lineup is Murderer's Row.

"We've got six seniors and they all contribute," Raiders coach Heather Haff said Tuesday night after Seneca's 3-0 triumph over Butler. "It almost doesn't matter who's in there."

Add to those hitters a veteran senior setter in Mallory Demarco and you have a team that rarely loses.

And Seneca Valley hasn't.

"Mallory is one of the best setters in the WPIAL," Haff said. "She's a risk-taker, and that's good. She has confidence in her hitters."

Seneca Valley (5-0) defeated Butler 25-14, 25-7, 25-16 and has yet to lose a game in a regulation match this season. The only blemish on the squad's record is a 25-23 single-game loss to Hopewell at a tournament.

Hopewell is ranked No. 1 in the state. Seneca Valley is ranked No. 3.

Laura Dubois had 13 kills for the Raiders Tuesday night. Danielle Diamond added seven kills and four blocks, Lindsey Skorupan had six kills and Laurie Lindner had six blocks.

"It's fun setting on this team because we have so many players who can finish," Demarco said. "I just try to get it to the player who's particularly hot that night.

"All I do is serve it up toward the middle. Someone is gonna be there," she added.

Demarco had 37 assists and 14 digs for the Raiders. Kristi Schutte had seven digs and Faith Guerra added six.

"They are such a strong team around the net," Butler coach Meghan Lucas said. "They just overpowered us.

"Our program's coming along in a very, very tough section. We play strong teams night after night and we're beginning to get some respect," she added.

Amy Achesinski had seven kills and five blocks for Butler as the Golden Tornado (5-3) have already matched their win total of a year ago.

Ashleigh Huey had six kills and 31 digs while setter Kala Schnur contributed 25 assists and 10 digs.

"Our kids aren't intimidated against these teams anymore," Lucas said. "At one point, we could hardly even compete with them."

Butler trailed the first game Tuesday 12-9 before the Raiders went on an 11-1 run to take control.

A 13-2 Seneca Valley run ended the second game. The third game was tied at eight before the Raiders scored 10 of the game's next 13 points.

"They get on a roll and it's tough to knock them out of it," Lucas said.

"What's nice is I can put my second-strong juniors out there once we get a sizable lead and they can finish the job for us," Haff said.

After not making the playoffs two years ago, the Raiders reached the WPIAL semifinals and the state tournament for the first time in school history in 2003.

"The girls have been the difference," said Haff, who is in her third year as the Seneca Valley coach. "They love the game and they continue to work hard."

Eight Raiders play club volleyball. Three of them - Dubois, Skorupan and Demarco - play on the same Renaissance club team. All three are seniors.

"That helps so much," Demarco said. "We've gotten to know each other on the court. Volleyball is about repeating and executing plays. We've been doing it for a while now."

Seneca Valley's junior varsity (3-1) defeated Butler (1-6) 25-18, 25-10.

The Tornado play at Fox Chapel Thursday. Seneca Valley hosts a varsity tournament Saturday.