The New Trier (Winnetka, IL) varsity volleyball team will play a neutral playoff match against Benet Academy (Lisle, IL) today at 6 p.m. This match is part of the 2024 Illinois High School Girls Volleyball Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 4A tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Illinois High School Volleyball
Who: Benet Academy vs New Trier
When: Today, November 11, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Girls Volleyball Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 4A
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Game preview: Benet Academy vs New Trier

As the 2024-2025 volleyball season unfolds, two of Illinois’ top teams, Benet Academy and New Trier, have displayed their dominance across the state. With impressive records, strong performances against common opponents, and unique team scoring averages, both schools are making their case for the top spot in high school volleyball.

Season Overview

Benet Academy is the team to beat this season, boasting an overall record of 38-1. They have been perfect in their conference play, maintaining an undefeated 6-0 record. Benet’s strength lies in their powerful offense and solid defense, with a remarkable win percentage of .974. They also stand out with an undefeated home record of 9-0 and a flawless 21-0 record in neutral-site games.

On the other hand, New Trier has a respectable overall record of 27-6, but their conference play has been slightly less dominant, with an 8-2 mark. Despite this, New Trier has shown resilience, especially in away games, where they have earned a 5-3 record. Their overall win percentage stands at .818, with a conference win percentage of .800.

Team Scoring Averages

When comparing team scoring averages, Benet Academy edges out New Trier in every category. The average points scored by Benet in each set (S1, S2, S3) is 25.0, 25.1, and 23.0, respectively, showing their consistent offensive strength. In comparison, New Trier averages 24.1, 23.7, and 19.4 points per set, slightly trailing behind Benet in terms of offensive output.

While both teams have impressive scoring abilities, Benet Academy’s higher averages indicate a more powerful attack, especially in crucial moments.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against several of the same opponents, offering insight into their respective strengths. Here’s a breakdown of their performance against common opponents:

• Saint Viator: Both teams won their matchups, with Benet winning 2-0 on 9/17/24 and New Trier securing a 2-0 win on 10/18/24.
• Skutt Catholic: Benet claimed a 2-0 victory over Skutt Catholic on 10/3/24, while New Trier fell to them 2-0 in their match on 10/4/24.
• Warren Township: Both teams emerged victorious against Warren Township, with Benet winning 2-0 on 10/11/24 and New Trier winning 2-0 on 9/3/24.
• Joliet Catholic: Benet Academy handled Joliet Catholic 2-0 in their two encounters on 10/15/24 and 10/18/24, while New Trier also won their match against Joliet Catholic 2-0 on 10/5/24.
• Huntley: Benet secured a 2-0 victory over Huntley on 10/19/24, with New Trier doing the same on 10/5/24.
• Nazareth Academy: Benet defeated Nazareth Academy 2-0 on 10/22/24, while New Trier also won 2-0 against them on 10/4/24.
• Loyola Academy: The two teams had mixed results against Loyola Academy. Benet lost 2-1 on 10/23/24, while New Trier lost 2-0 on 9/12/24 but bounced back with a 2-0 win on 11/7/24.

While both teams hold a strong record against common opponents, Benet Academy’s perfect record of 7-1 against shared rivals slightly surpasses New Trier’s 6-2 record. This difference highlights Benet’s ability to perform consistently across the board.

Record Breakdown: A Closer Look

Here’s a closer look at the record breakdown for each team across different categories:

Benet Academy (24-25)

• Overall: 38-1
• Conference: 6-0
• Home: 9-0
• Away: 8-1
• Neutral: 21-0
• Non-League: 12-1
• Playoff: 4-0
• In-State: 37-1
• Out-of-State: 1-0

New Trier (24-25)

• Overall: 27-6
• Conference: 8-2
• Home: 15-0
• Away: 5-3
• Neutral: 7-3
• Non-League: 6-3
• Playoff: 4-0
• In-State: 26-5
• Out-of-State: 1-1

Benet Academy’s dominance is clear in their home, neutral-site, and in-state records. Their 21-0 record in neutral-site games speaks volumes about their ability to perform under pressure. New Trier, however, has been nearly perfect at home, with a flawless 15-0 record, indicating their strength in familiar settings.

Conclusion

Both Benet Academy and New Trier are formidable opponents, with each showcasing impressive win records, strong performances against common opponents, and high-level offensive abilities. While New Trier has proven to be a resilient team, Benet Academy’s consistency and higher scoring averages put them in the driver’s seat as the stronger contender for the top spot in Illinois volleyball this season.

As these two teams continue their campaigns, their upcoming matchups will undoubtedly be thrilling, and fans can expect intense, high-quality volleyball from both sides. With their eyes set on the postseason, Benet Academy and New Trier are surely teams to watch as they push toward state glory.