The Northwest Christian Crusaders (21-6) will face the Seton Catholic Sentinels (24-12) in a neutral-site playoff match today at 7 p.m. The game is part of the 2024 AIA State Girls Volleyball Championships (Arizona) – Conference 3A tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Volleyball
Who: Northwest Christian vs Seton Catholic
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Girls Volleyball Championships (Arizona) – Conference 3A
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Game preview: Northwest Christian vs Seton Catholic

As the 2024-2025 volleyball season progresses, two Arizona schools—Seton Catholic and Northwest Christian—have emerged as standout teams. With their impressive win records and dominant performances on the court, these schools have built reputations as top-tier competitors in their respective divisions. Let’s take a closer look at their rankings, records, and key statistics.

Team Records & Rankings

• Seton Catholic (24-12 overall, 8-2 section) Seton Catholic boasts a solid overall record of 24 wins to 12 losses and an impressive 8-2 mark in section play. The team has performed well at home, securing a 7-3 record, while also posting a winning 8-1 record when playing away. With a win percentage of .667, Seton Catholic has proven to be a competitive force in the division.
• Northwest Christian (21-6 overall, 11-1 section) Northwest Christian, on the other hand, has an even stronger record of 21 wins and just 6 losses, including a remarkable 11-1 mark in section play. Their overall win percentage stands at .778, making them one of the top teams in their division. Their 10-1 home record and 7-2 away performance also showcase their versatility and ability to win in various environments.

Team Scoring Averages

Both teams are consistently putting up impressive point totals across the season:

• Seton Catholic averages 22.9 points per set in their victories, with a slight dip to 15.0 points in losses.
• Northwest Christian has an overall slightly higher average at 24.1 points per set during wins, and their losses tend to be more competitive, averaging 13.5 points per set.

Key Team Statistics

Here’s a closer look at how both teams compare in key volleyball statistics:

Seton Catholic leads in both kills (1106) and serving aces (376), showing a strong offensive presence. However, Northwest Christian excels in digs, with 1245 compared to Seton Catholic’s 1350, demonstrating their strong defensive capabilities. In terms of total blocks, Seton Catholic has a significant advantage, with 131 compared to Northwest Christian’s 72.

Team Leaders

Both teams are led by standout individual players, each contributing significantly to their team’s success.

• Seton Catholic:
  • Kills: Rylan Keane (381 kills)
  • Blocks: Madeline Bell (50 total blocks)
  • Serving Aces: Madeline Bell (85 aces)
  • Digs: Elizabeth Steinkamp (270 digs)
  • Assists: Hannah Ostrowski (345 assists)
  • Receptions: Louise Hall (479 receptions)
• Northwest Christian:
  • Kills: Cadence Roberts (428 kills)
  • Blocks: Madison Nedeljkovic (29 blocks)
  • Serving Aces: Maggie Whittemore (64 aces)
  • Digs: Brooklyn Blummentritt (216 digs)
  • Assists: Tatum Naber (795 assists)
  • Receptions: Brooklyn Blummentritt (310 receptions)

Head-to-Head Comparison

While Seton Catholic and Northwest Christian have not faced off against each other this season, both have played against common opponents. Looking at their records against these teams:

• Seton Catholic is 5-3 against common opponents.
• Northwest Christian holds a slightly better record at 7-2.

Record Breakdown

• Seton Catholic:
  • Overall: 24-12
  • Section: 8-2
  • Non-League: 6-2
  • Home: 7-3
  • Away: 8-1
• Northwest Christian:
  • Overall: 21-6
  • Section: 11-1
  • Non-League: 5-1
  • Home: 10-1
  • Away: 7-2

Both teams have shown dominance in their section play, with Northwest Christian having a slight edge in overall section performance (11-1 vs. Seton Catholic’s 8-2). However, Seton Catholic has proven to be formidable at home and in neutral-site games.

Conclusion

As the season progresses, both Seton Catholic and Northwest Christian are poised to make significant impacts in the state rankings. Seton Catholic’s impressive kills and serving aces make them a potent offensive threat, while Northwest Christian’s solid record and strong defensive stats, especially in digs, highlight their well-rounded play. With both teams proving to be dominant in their sections, it will be exciting to see how they fare in upcoming matchups, potentially setting the stage for a thrilling postseason battle.