Coach Steve Burkhart is similar to the North Star; he always manages to guide his teams in the right direction.

His players may get lost at times, but Burkhart manages to keep his players in check and guide them down the right path to success.

Despite losing two of their six starters, the Raiders are 5-1 and look to make another push towards a Western State Conference crown and another playoff berth.

In the long run, Burkhart feels that this defines the success of the Raiders’ season.

“Our goal is to win the WSC and make the playoffs,” he said. “The team has the same kind of goals.”

Gone from last year’s WSC championship team are 6′ 8″ middle blocker Sean Martin, who remained a dominant force on the defensive end, as well as the Raiders’ team leader in kills and team captain, Chris Trauger.

However, Burkhart has directed his team down the right path, with the help of some key returning players from last year’s 15-3 campaign, including setter Adam Quinn, who led last year’s team in assists, middle blocker Kyle Auge, libero Brendan Keane and outside hitter Jared Furlong.

And the same goals Burkhart has are being instilled into his players.

Auge mentioned the team’s primary focus is to make it to the playoffs.

“The playoffs are our main goal right now,” he said.

“We are trying to put ourselves in the best position possible for the playoffs.”

The Raiders’ only loss so far was a match against Irvine Valley College that went to five sets.

 The definition of a successful season starts with a playoff berth, one that extends past the first round to blur out a shocking upset at the hands of Orange Coast College in the first-round of last season’s playoffs.

Burkhart is confident that his team will be able to consistently perform at a high level.

“We feel good about what we’ve done so far,” he said.

The Raiders begin conference play when they host Santa Monica City College March 5 at 6 p.m.