The Chicago Christian varsity volleyball team from Palos Heights, IL, will face off against El Paso-Gridley from El Paso, IL, in a neutral playoff match today at 6 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 Illinois High School Girls Volleyball Playoff Brackets for IHSA Class 2A.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Illinois High School Volleyball
Who: El Paso-Gridley vs Chicago Christian
When: Today, November 11, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Girls Volleyball Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 2A
Watch here: Watch here

Game preview: El Paso-Gridley vs Chicago Christian

As the high school volleyball season draws to a close, El Paso-Gridley and Chicago Christian showcase strong performances with notable stats and rankings. Both Illinois-based teams have shown promise, but each demonstrates distinct strengths that set them apart in different areas of the game. This article takes a closer look at their rankings, records, scoring averages, and key player stats, offering a comprehensive comparison.

Rankings & Records

El Paso-Gridley:

• Class Rank in Illinois: 59
• Overall Record: 30-7
• Conference Record: 9-3
• Home Record: 7-2
• Away Record: 8-3
• Neutral Record: 15-2
• Overall Win %: .811
• Conference Win %: .750
• Sets Won vs. Lost: 62-17

El Paso-Gridley’s impressive 30-7 record highlights their consistency, especially on neutral ground where they achieved a stellar 15-2 record. With a conference win rate of 75% and an overall win rate of 81.1%, they have shown dominance, particularly in home and conference games.

Chicago Christian:

• Class Rank in Illinois: 138
• Overall Record: 20-17
• Conference Record: 4-2
• Home Record: 8-5
• Away Record: 3-4
• Neutral Record: 9-8
• Overall Win %: .541
• Conference Win %: .667
• Sets Won vs. Lost: 45-39

Chicago Christian holds a 20-17 record with a conference win rate of 66.7% and a solid 54.1% overall win rate. Their home performance is commendable at 8-5, but their away record is slightly below .500, indicating potential challenges in away games. Despite fewer total wins than El Paso-Gridley, Chicago Christian has shown steady growth, especially in home court matches.

Team Scoring Averages

El Paso-Gridley tends to dominate the early stages of the game, averaging 24.3 points in the first set, 23.6 in the second, and 18.8 in the third, with an average wins-per-match score of 1.7. This consistency in early scoring contributes to their strong overall record.

Chicago Christian averages 22.6 points in the first set, 22.8 in the second, and 20.8 in the third, finishing with an average wins-per-match score of 1.2. Their higher average in the third set shows resilience, but they generally score slightly lower than El Paso-Gridley across the board.

Team Stat Comparison

Both teams boast impressive stats, but they shine in different areas:

• Kills: Chicago Christian leads with 851 kills, indicating a high level of offensive play.
• Total Blocks: Chicago Christian also has 88 blocks, showcasing a strong defense.
• Serving Aces: Chicago Christian records 227 aces, reflecting their effective serving strategy.
• Digs: Chicago Christian leads with 1,074 digs, demonstrating a solid backline.
• Assists: They have a total of 778 assists, supporting a well-coordinated offense.
• Receptions: Chicago Christian has logged 1,403 receptions, underscoring their ball control abilities.

Team Leaders and Individual Performance

Key players from both teams have made significant contributions, often surpassing national averages:

El Paso-Gridley:

• Kills: #3 Quinn Grevengoed – 362 kills (well above the national average of 51).
• Serving Aces: #3 Quinn Grevengoed – 58 aces.
• Digs: #8 Tegan Colyer – 311 digs.
• Receptions: #3 Quinn Grevengoed – 505 receptions.

Chicago Christian:

• Total Blocks: #11 Tayah Johnson – 34 blocks.
• Assists: #15 Heidi VandenBosch – 584 assists.

Record Breakdown

Both teams have exhibited unique strengths in different categories:

• El Paso-Gridley:
  • League games: 12-4
  • Non-League games: 6-2
  • Home: 7-2
  • Away: 8-3
  • Neutral: 15-2
  • Playoff Record: 4-0
• Chicago Christian:
  • League games: 4-3
  • Non-League games: 3-6
  • Home: 8-5
  • Away: 3-4
  • Neutral: 9-8
  • Playoff Record: 4-0

El Paso-Gridley’s standout 4-0 playoff record matches Chicago Christian’s, underscoring their mutual prowess when it comes to high-stakes games.

Conclusion

Both El Paso-Gridley and Chicago Christian have shown significant strengths this season, but they each excel in unique areas. El Paso-Gridley’s overall consistency, particularly on neutral courts and early game dominance, speaks to their well-rounded performance. Chicago Christian, however, shines with higher counts in specific stats like kills, blocks, and serving aces, showcasing individual skill in both offensive and defensive areas.

In the end, while El Paso-Gridley’s 30-7 record gives them an edge in terms of sheer winning performance, Chicago Christian’s strong stats and notable individual achievements point to their potential to challenge any opponent they face.