It didn't take long for Seneca Valley High School girls' volleyball coach Karen Martini to notice Alex Karika.

"Alex and her family moved into the district when she was in seventh grade," Martini said. "Her skill level was so much higher than the other girls in her class. I had never seen anyone with those skills as a seventh grader. We immediately moved her up to the ninth grade team."

Karika became a ninth grader last season, but did not stay with the freshman team.

Martini wasted no time in promoting Karika to the varsity and inserted her in the starting lineup at the most important position, setter.

"It must have been a bit intimidating for Alex to set for the varsity team as a freshman, but it didn't show in her play," Martini said. "Now she's one of the best three setters in the WPIAL. I may be a little biased, but I truly believe it."

Seneca Valley finished the regular season in a tie with North Allegheny for the Section 3-AAA title. Both teams posted 10-2 records in section play and both posted consecutive victories in the opening rounds of the WPIAL playoffs.

"Winning a WPIAL title and qualifying for the PIAA tournament is the goal of every playoff team," said Karika, a 5-foot-10 sophomore. "We fell short of both goals last year and we're hoping to reach both this year."

Seneca Valley was the top seed last season, during Karika's debut, but the Raiders were upset by Pine-Richland, 3-2, in the WPIAL semifinals.

"It was so disappointing to lose in the semifinals, especially because we lost in five games," Martini said. "I'm sure the memory of that loss will be in the back of our minds as we approach the semifinals."

Seneca Valley is seeded No. 2 in the 15-team Class AAA bracket. The Raiders posted a 3-0 win against Ringgold in the first round, then registered another 3-0 victory against Baldwin in Tuesday's quarterfinals.

That sets up a rematch with North Allegheny in the semifinals at 7:30 tonight at North Hills. The Raiders and Tigers met twice during the season with the home team claiming victory in both matches.

"We had two hard-fought matches against North Allegheny in the section," Martini said. "It's appropriate that we face off in the semifinals. The winner advances to the title match and qualifies for the [PIAA] tournament."

Karika has also been used as a hitter this year.

"Sometimes we switch to a 6-2 offense, depending on who we are facing," Martini said. "That allows us to use Alex as a hitter when she rotates to the front row. She's a very effective hitter, but more valuable as a setter."

Karika plays club ball for the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Volleyball Club during the offseason. This summer she spent two weeks in Florida at a pair of national tournaments.

"At the end of June, I played for an 18-and-under team at a national tournament in Miami," Karika said. "We spent a week at that tournament."

Karika was also chosen to play on a Pennsylvania Select team of 14 and 15 year olds.

"I was on a team that represented [Pennsylvania]," said Karika, of the tournament, which took place in late July in Fort Lauderdale. "We were among 24 teams and finished second overall. Our only loss was to a Southern California team. It was a great experience to play in those tournaments."

Karika is also a very accomplished basketball player.

"I don't have a favorite sport, but I will probably pursue a volleyball career in college," Karika said. "And I'm far from making a college decision."

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