The Butler Area High School girls' volleyball team opens the season Saturday by playing host to an eight-team tournament.

"This is the fourth or fifth year we've had the tournament," Butler coach Meghan Lucas said. "It's always on Labor Day weekend. The coaches like this tournament because it's not a mega-tournament. We only have eight teams, four in each pool.

"It's a simple format that gives each team a chance to experiment with different lineups and see how the kids react to tournament competition."

Butler is joined in the eight-team field by Avonworth, Bethel Park, Greensburg Central Catholic, Hopewell, Greater Latrobe, Shaler Area and West Allegheny.

"We have a very competitive field," Lucas said. "Latrobe and Shaler qualified for the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs last year. West Allegheny won the WPIAL Class AA title and Greensburg Central was the runner-up in Class A. I'm anxious to see how we do in the tournament."

Lucas begins her fourth season at Butler with hopes of improving on last year's 6-6 record and fourth-place finish in Section 3-AAA.

"Our section is clearly the strongest of the Class AAA sections," Lucas said. "It's always a battle to finish among the top three in this section. North Allegheny, Seneca Valley and Pine-Richland are all tough to beat."

That was clearly evident last season. Seneca Valley advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA title match before losing to Mt. Lebanon. North Allegheny and Pine-Richland faced off in the WPIAL consolation match.

"It's a brutal section, but it does have its benefits once you get to the playoffs," Lucas said. "Teams from this section often find the competition in the first and second round of the WPIAL playoffs easier than what we faced in section play."

Lucas' 2009 squad had eight seniors, all of whom saw significant playing time.

"We have nine seniors on this year's squad who have been patiently waiting for their chance to step up," Lucas said. "They have their opportunity to shine."

Only three of those seniors are returning letter-winners.

Amanda Skidmore and Hannah Williams are returning starters. Skidmore is a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, while Williams is a 5-3 libero.

"Hannah lettered as a sophomore and started at libero last year," Lucas said. "Amanda is a very good softball player who is being recruited by numerous colleges. She has a great arm."

The other senior letter-winner is Stephanie Girdano, a 5-5 setter.

"Stephanie is one of three players fighting for playing time at setter," Lucas said. "All three will get a chance to play Saturday. I also plan to switch between a one-setter and a two-setter offense to see which fits better with this group of girls. I'm still looking for the right combination."

The other two setters are 5-7 senior Calli Johns and 5-5 junior Makenzie Huey.

"We need to get our lineup set as soon as possible, because section play begins next week," Lucas said.

The other five seniors in Butler's lineup are 5-9 middle hitter Christina Farmer, 5-6 outside hitter Katelyn Wetzel, 5-9 middle hitter Meghan Studds, 5-7 defensive specialist Fallon Bachman and 5-6 outside hitter Alexis Krause.

"Meghan and Christina are both small for middle hitters, but both can jump," Lucas said. "Meghan qualified for the PIAA [championship track] meet last year as a jumper on the track team. Katelyn is a great utility player. She can hit from the front row and play defense in the back row."

Lucas also has "two up-and-coming sophomores," 5-10 middle hitter MacKenzie O'Donnell and 5-9 outside hitter Harley Skibicki.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.