Curtain call
JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley seniors Sydney Martini and Bre Damiani came off the court to a loud ovation with the Raiders' volleyball team leading the fourth game of their home match against Butler by a large margin.
The Golden Tornado didn't let them get too comfortable on the bench.
Butler rolled off the next seven points, forcing Seneca Valley coach Karen Martini to put her two seniors back into the game on Senior Night to finish off Butler in a 25-14, 25-10, 23-25, 25-18 win Thursday night.
“I tried to give them that — alright, you're seniors, you're coming out,” Martini said, smiling.
Butler had other plans.
Still, Seneca Valley (15-3, 11-1) was able to cap off its section title as it prepares for the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs, which begin next week.
The pairings will be announced Monday.
“I think going into the playoffs we need to refocus, reset our goals and be prepared to play longer matches and more competitive matches,” said Sydney Martini, who had 15 kills in the win over Butler. “The last couple of years we really struggled in the section, so to be able to win it and bring it back is a great feeling for us. It's a great accomplishment.”
Seneca Valley won more than 10 matches this year in 3-0 sweeps.
Butler (7-9, 5-7) eked out a win in the third game to force a fourth thanks to scrappy play and fewer unforced errors, which haunted the Golden Tornado in the first two games.
“We had our chances, for sure,” said Butler coach Dan Mountain. “We're not going to the playoffs and Seneca Valley is, but I'm just real proud of my team for, all season long, and especially tonight, fighting and playing hard no matter what.”
Baylee Verner led Butler with 10 kills and Alyssa DiPippa added eight more.
Lauren Skidmore also had 13 digs for the Golden Tornado.
For Seneca Valley, with juniors and sophomores getting significant playing time, this playoff berth could just be the tip of the iceberg.
“The young kids have just brought the heat,” Karen Martini said. “The two seniors have done really well leading. We're a team and everybody has been involved.”
Junior Madeline Poirer added 13 kills and sophomore Bella Seman had 20 digs for the Raiders.
“Madeline is playing phenomenally,” Karen Martini said. “She's an outstanding player and we have little Bella Seman playing spectacular defense. What do you say when you have kids like that coming in and you just know if it's not going to one, someone else is going to make something happen.”
Sydney Martini and Damiani were freshmen in 2011 when the Raiders won the WPIAL Class AAA title.
They'd like to bookend their careers with another championship.
“We really have the desire and drive to win this season,” Damiani said.
