Butler and Seneca Valley had similar boys volleyball seasons last spring.

However, the teams look radically different entering the 2015 campaign.

“Our goals never change,” third-year Raiders coach Dan Follett said. “Win the section, win the district, win the state. Those are always the targets.”

Seneca Valley was 9-7 a year ago, losing to Bethel Park in the WPIAL quarterfinals, but returns its seven top players.

By contrast, Butler — which was 10-6 last year and lost to Norwin in the quarterfinals — returns only two lettermen.

“We don't have the hitting power we had last year,” 22nd-year Golden Tornado coach Lew Liparulo said. “But the cohesiveness of this team is very good this year. The kids are bonding as a team and that's important in volleyball.”

Returning starters for Seneca Valley include senior libero Stephen Jones, senior setter Anthony Sprentz and junior setter Luke Pecora.

Middle hitters Jonathan Dolfi (junior) and Taylor Matthews (senior) are also back, as are senior outside hitters John Price and Austin Herrmann, along with senior right-side hitter Tyler Herrmann.

“These guys all have one or two years of varsity experience and we've got 40 kids on the roster in grades nine through 12,” Follett said. “This is a seasoned group and they believe they're ready to make their mark.”

Liparulo said Fox Chapel, Seneca Valley and North Allegheny are all ranked among the top 10 in the state. Pine-Richland, North Hills and Shaler are also in the section.

“North Allegheny is always good and Fox Chapel is like us this year, bringing a lot of people back,” Follett said. “We definitely play in one of the best sections in the state.”

All of that means Butler's roster will need to grow up in a hurry.

Seniors Rob Kunst — a front row player last year — and senior libero Chris Fiorina are the Tornado's lettermen. Fiorina will move up to the front row this year.

Two other seniors on the squad are Brett Heckathorn and Andrew Hartzell.

“Brett will be a back row defensive specialist and Andrew has the versatility to fill in anywhere we need him,” Liparulo said.

Butler's setter will likely be junior Matt Wetzel, who is competing in the bowling regionals this weekend. Two other juniors — middle hitter Ryan Bargo and weak-side hitter Anthony Hook — will also anchor the lineup.

“We've got a number of other kids who will battle to crack the lineup,” Liparulo said. “We scrimmage Latrobe, North Allegheny and Altoona this weekend and that will give us a good idea of what we need to do.”

The top four teams in each section advance to the WPIAL playoffs.

“Seneca Valley, Fox Chapel and North Allegheny will likely be there,” Liparulo said. “When the smoke clears, we want to be right there with them.”

Butler will compete in the Norwin Tournament next weekend while Seneca Valley will be involved in the North Allegheny tourney.

“Rankings don't mean anything to me,” Follett said. “You have to prove yourself on the court.”