North Allegheny coach Dan Schall likes the idea of having a week to prepare for the WPIAL Class AAA boys' volleyball playoffs.

"We need to do some fine tuning for the playoffs and this week gives us that opportunity," Schall said. "We had a simulated match on Tuesday and another tonight. A simulated match gives us a chance to slow things down and correct flaws in our game."

Twenty-five teams qualified for the WPIAL tournament, which started yesterday, but seven of those teams have the week off.

Twelve teams are entered in the Class AAA bracket, which means the top four seeds received byes. The Class AA bracket has 13 entries, due to a tie in Section 3-AA, which means the top three seeds receives byes.

"We have some weaknesses in our defense that we must work on," Schall said. "We were able to overcome those weaknesses during the regular season. We can't get away with it during the playoffs."

North Allegheny is the top seed in the Class AAA bracket, and for a good reason. The Tigers are defending WPIAL champions and have won four of the past five titles.

"The top seed means very little to us," Schall said. "It doesn't guarantee us anything. When you get to the playoffs, anything can happen.

"Fox Chapel proved that last year by earning a spot in the finals, despite a No. 9 seed."

North Allegheny is not only the top seed. The Tigers are also the most experienced team in the playoffs, as most of last year's championship squad is back.

"We've faced every possible situation over the past two years," Schall said. "We've played in very close matches and have had to come from behind.

"We're ready for every situation we might face."

North Allegheny will begin its title defense Monday against the winner of last night's first-round match between Baldwin and Penn-Trafford.

"The week off will give [senior middle hitter] John Skarupa a chance to rest the ankle he sprained in our last section match," said Schall, referring to last Thursday's match against North Hills. "Fortunately, it's not serious. He should be back to 100 percent by Monday."

North Allegheny posted a 10-0 record in Section 2-AAA. The Tigers will be joined in the Class AAA bracket by section runner-up Seneca Valley (7-3), Fox Chapel (6-4) and Butler Area (5-5).

Seneca Valley is the No. 5 seed, while Fox Chapel is No. 6. The Raiders face No. 12 seed Upper St. Clair tonight at Montour at 7:30 p.m. Fox Chapel plays host to No. 11 seed Central Catholic tonight at 7. Butler, the No. 10 seed, travels to Plum to face the No. 7-seeded Mustangs at 7 p.m.

"North Allegheny is clearly the team to beat," Seneca Valley coach Josh Springer said. "They beat us, 3-0, in both section matches, but anything can happen in the playoffs. If we play up to our abilities, we are capable of beating anybody."

Bethel Park is seeded No. 2 in the Class AAA bracket, while Norwin and Penn Hills round out the top four. The top four seeds earn an automatic berth in Monday's quarterfinals.

"The teams become pretty even pretty fast when you get to the quarterfinals," Schall said. "Any of the eight quarterfinal teams have a legitimate shot at making it to the finals."

In Class AA, Ambridge is the top seed, followed by No. 2 Greater Latrobe, No. 3 Hopewell and No. 4 Deer Lakes.

Deer Lakes won the Section 2-AA title with a 12-0 record, while Pine-Richland (10-2) placed second.

Both teams have first-round matches tonight at Deer Lakes. The Lancers play host to South Park at 7:30 p.m. Pine-Richland faces Steel Valley at 6 p.m.