The Bloomington Central Catholic (Bloomington, IL) varsity volleyball team will play a neutral playoff match against Mater Dei (Breese, IL) today at 1:55 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 Illinois High School Girls Volleyball Playoff Brackets for Class 2A.

Bloomington Central Catholic vs Mater Dei Volleyball Game Info:

What: Illinois High School Volleyball
Who: Bloomington Central Catholic vs Mater Dei
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:55 PM
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Girls Volleyball Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 2A
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Game preview: Bloomington Central Catholic vs Mater Dei

As the 2024-2025 high school volleyball season heats up, two dominant teams are making waves: Mater Dei and Bloomington Central Catholic. Both teams have impressive records and remarkable statistics that showcase their skill and determination. Here’s a closer look at these volleyball powerhouses, their head-to-head performances, and key players to watch.

Mater Dei: A Top Contender

With a stellar 37-3 overall record, Mater Dei has shown consistency across the board, particularly excelling in non-league games with a 14-1 record. The team has been perfect at home, boasting a 7-0 record, and they have also dominated in neutral-site games with a 22-1 mark. Mater Dei’s overall winning percentage stands at .925, an indication of their elite status in the state.

Key players for Mater Dei include:

• Ella Diercks: Leading the team with 288 kills, Diercks is an offensive powerhouse.
• Addie Lampe: With 352 digs, Lampe is a defensive stalwart, anchoring the back row for Mater Dei.
• Addison Nenninger: Not only does she lead in assists with 824, but her serving aces (46) also play a pivotal role in her team’s success.

The team’s overall offensive and defensive numbers are formidable, with 1088 kills, 177 total blocks, 207 serving aces, and 1194 digs. These stats are indicative of their well-rounded gameplay.

Bloomington Central Catholic: Unbeaten in Conference Play

Bloomington Central Catholic, with a 35-4 record, has been dominant in the regular season, finishing their conference play undefeated at 9-0. The team’s overall winning percentage is an impressive .897. Bloomington Central Catholic also shines in their home games, going 12-0, while holding a strong away record of 10-1. Their record against common opponents is equally notable, finishing with a 5-2 record—matching Mater Dei’s mark.

Notable leaders for Bloomington Central Catholic include:

• Kampbell Niepagen: With a whopping 383 kills, Niepagen is a key offensive force for her team.
• Makayla Wieduwilt: Leading the team with 308 digs, Wieduwilt is a crucial defensive player.
• Lauren O’Brien: O’Brien has been an offensive and defensive leader with 573 assists and 48 serving aces.

Bloomington Central Catholic’s stats are equally impressive, with 1070 kills, 164 total blocks, and 233 serving aces. Their defensive capabilities are evident, with 1288 digs and 1252 receptions.

Head-to-Head Comparison

While these two teams haven’t faced off yet in the 2024-2025 season, their paths have crossed through common opponents. Both teams have posted a 5-2 record against these teams, indicating their competitive nature. Some of their shared opponents include Normal University, O’Fallon, Lincoln, and Quincy Notre Dame.

• Normal University: Mater Dei suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Normal University on 9/14/24, while Bloomington Central Catholic also lost to them 2-0 at home on the same day. However, Bloomington Central Catholic redeemed themselves with a 2-1 win on 10/12/24.
• O’Fallon: Both teams had victories over O’Fallon, with Mater Dei winning 2-0 at home and Bloomington Central Catholic securing a 2-1 win.
• Quincy Notre Dame: The two teams split their encounters with Quincy Notre Dame. Mater Dei lost 2-1 in a neutral game, but later rebounded with a 2-1 victory on 11/11/24. Bloomington Central Catholic won 2-1 in their encounter on 9/7/24, but also fell 2-1 on 10/25/24.

Key Stats and Trends

Both teams have shown dominance in different areas. Mater Dei leads in assists with 1024, while Bloomington Central Catholic boasts a stronger record in serving aces (233). In terms of total digs, Bloomington Central Catholic edges Mater Dei with 1288 compared to 1194. The teams also have similar records in neutral-site games, with Mater Dei at 22-1 and Bloomington Central Catholic at 13-3.

What’s Next?

While Mater Dei and Bloomington Central Catholic are both formidable forces this season, it will be fascinating to see how they perform against each other and how their upcoming matchups unfold. If their strong records and remarkable stats are any indication, the meeting between these two volleyball titans promises to be an exciting and closely contested matchup.

As the playoffs approach, both teams will be hoping to carry their impressive regular-season performances into the postseason. For fans of high school volleyball, this showdown is one to watch closely.