The Hitchcock-Tulare varsity volleyball team (Tulare, SD) will play a neutral-site playoff match against Burke (SD) today at 5 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 SDHSAA High School Volleyball Playoff Brackets for the Class B State Tournament in South Dakota.

Hitchcock-Tulare vs Burke Game Info:

What: South Dakota High School Girls Volleyball Playoffs
Who: Hitchcock-Tulare vs Burke
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 SDHSAA High School Volleyball Playoff Brackets (South Dakota) – 2024 Class B State Tournament
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Game preview: Hitchcock-Tulare vs Burke

The 2024-2025 volleyball season has seen two standout teams dominating their respective leagues: Burke and Hitchcock-Tulare. With impressive records, notable player performances, and a heated rivalry, these teams have been generating considerable buzz. Let’s break down their performance in detail, examining team statistics, individual leaders, and common opponents.

Season Overview

Both teams have posted exceptional records this season. Burke boasts a 34-4 overall record, finishing undefeated in their league (6-0) and with a strong 8-2 non-league performance. Hitchcock-Tulare, while slightly trailing with a 32-3 overall record, has still proven to be an impressive force, especially with a perfect 10-0 home record. Their league performance (1-1) is a bit more modest, but they’ve shown resilience in non-league matchups (13-1).

Team Scoring Averages

The scoring averages of the teams reflect their consistent offensive threats. Burke’s scoring averages are slightly higher across the board with an overall scoring average of 24.0 points per set, compared to Hitchcock-Tulare’s 23.8. Both teams maintain high levels of offensive output, with Burke slightly edging Hitchcock-Tulare in their first four scoring sets.

Statistical Comparison:

In terms of total team statistics, the teams are closely matched:

• Burke: 1200 Kills, 153 Blocks, 314 Serving Aces, 1607 Digs, 1034 Assists, 1067 Receptions
• Hitchcock-Tulare: 1024 Kills, 127 Blocks, 314 Serving Aces, 1360 Digs, 903 Assists, 961 Receptions

Burke has a significant edge in kills and assists, thanks to the efforts of their standout players. However, Hitchcock-Tulare excels in digs, showing off their defensive prowess. Both teams have excelled in serving, with each contributing 314 aces to their total.

Team Leaders

The individual leaders for each team stand out in multiple categories:

Burke:

• Emmie Hausmann: 352 Kills, 83 Serving Aces
• Kyrie Matucha: 451 Digs, 412 Receptions
• Ava Sargent: 409 Assists

Hitchcock-Tulare:

• Katelyn Schroeder: 425 Kills
• Isabel Gilbert: 71 Total Blocks
• Lila Johnson: 76 Serving Aces, 510 Assists
• Cambree Hoekman: 352 Digs, 435 Receptions

Both teams have elite players who dominate in multiple areas, making them a constant threat both offensively and defensively.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced a series of common opponents this season, with mixed results:

• Burke: 3-3 against common opponents
• Hitchcock-Tulare: 4-2 against common opponents

Notable matchups include:

• Burke defeated Faulkton (2-0), Warner (2-1), and Gayville-Volin (2-0), but faced losses against Gayville-Volin (2-3) and Mt. Vernon/Plankinton (1-2).
• Hitchcock-Tulare beat Warner (2-0), Faulkton (3-1), and Gayville-Volin (3-2) but suffered losses to Warner (0-3) and Mt. Vernon/Plankinton (0-2).

Both teams have had their share of tough battles, but Hitchcock-Tulare edges out Burke with a better win rate against common opponents.

Head-to-Head Matchups

When it comes to head-to-head matchups between the two, it’s important to note that these teams haven’t yet faced each other this season, but they’ve consistently faced other top-tier teams in their regions. Should Burke and Hitchcock-Tulare meet, it would surely be a thrilling contest, with both teams having a similar record of success in league and non-league play.

Playoff Prospects

Looking ahead to the postseason, both teams are positioned for strong playoff runs. Burke has demonstrated dominance in neutral-site matches, with a 16-1 record, while Hitchcock-Tulare has excelled at home (17-1). This sets the stage for an exciting postseason, where both teams are poised to make deep runs into the playoffs.

Conclusion

As the season progresses, both Burke and Hitchcock-Tulare have solidified themselves as premier teams in their region, each with their own unique strengths. Burke may have the edge in overall kills and assists, but Hitchcock-Tulare’s superior defense and performance at home make them a formidable opponent. The competition between these two teams remains fierce, and the eventual clash between them promises to be one of the highlights of the season.