The Huntington Beach (CA) varsity volleyball team will host a home playoff match against Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates, CA) today at 6 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 CIF State Girls Volleyball Championships – Division I tournament.
Huntington Beach vs Palos Verdes Volleyball Game Info:
What: California High School Volleyball
Who: Huntington Beach vs Palos Verdes
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 6 PM
Bracket: 2024 CIF State Girls Volleyball Championships – Division I
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Game preview: Huntington Beach vs Palos Verdes
As the 2024-25 volleyball season heats up, two powerhouse teams are making waves: Palos Verdes and Huntington Beach. With impressive records, both teams have been battling it out in league play, and their most recent matchups have only added to the excitement.
Team Records and Rankings
Palos Verdes (24-9) has been performing consistently well, posting a solid overall record of 24 wins and 9 losses. The team’s league performance, however, has been a bit more challenging, with a 5-3 record. The Palos Verdes squad is known for its balance, with an 8-1 home record showing their dominance on their turf.
On the other hand, Huntington Beach (32-7) has had a remarkable season, with a nearly flawless league record of 11-1. They’ve dominated across all areas, boasting an 821 win percentage. Their away performance is equally strong with a 9-4 record, while they’ve been near unbeatable on neutral courts, with a 14-2 record. Huntington Beach’s overall win percentage of .821 far surpasses Palos Verdes’ .727.
Match Breakdown: Palos Verdes vs. Huntington Beach
In their head-to-head match earlier this season on September 7th, Huntington Beach emerged victorious, winning 2-1. The match was a hard-fought contest, with Palos Verdes winning the first set 25-23 but falling short in the next two (21-25, 4-15). The outcome was a disappointment for Palos Verdes, but their determination in the first set showcased their competitive spirit.
Scoring Averages and Key Players
When comparing the teams’ offensive capabilities, both squads are highly efficient at scoring. Palos Verdes has an average of 23.1 points per set in their first set, dropping slightly to 21.5 by the fourth. Huntington Beach also averages strong performances, scoring 24.0 points per set in their first and 22.7 points per set by the fourth.
The standout players for Palos Verdes include Kaci Demaria, with 83 kills and 7 serving aces, and Mallory Labreche, who leads the team with 15 blocks and 131 assists. For Huntington Beach, they rely on a balanced attack with players like Molly Labreche, who has 55 digs, and Kaci Demaria (same name as Palos Verdes’ standout), who leads with 83 kills.
Common Opponents and Record Comparison
Both teams have faced off against several of the same opponents this season, providing a glimpse into their respective strengths. Against Orange Lutheran, both teams struggled, but Huntington Beach found success, winning 3-1, while Palos Verdes lost 2-0. However, in matches against teams like Murrieta Valley, both squads were victorious, with Huntington Beach winning 2-0 and Palos Verdes taking a 2-0 victory as well.
The record breakdown between the teams tells a similar story. While Palos Verdes holds a solid 9-3 record against common opponents, Huntington Beach is even stronger, with a 9-1 record. This suggests that while both teams have faced tough competition, Huntington Beach has managed to come out on top more consistently.
Looking Ahead
With their playoff journey ahead, Palos Verdes is determined to push further into the postseason, despite facing strong competition in their league and overall. Huntington Beach, on the other hand, has the upper hand, with a more dominant overall and league performance.
The next few weeks will determine which team can make a deeper run into the playoffs, and this highly anticipated rivalry will likely continue to be a key story in high school volleyball this season. Both teams have proven their mettle, but only one can claim the victory when it matters most.