The O’Gorman (Sioux Falls, SD) varsity volleyball team will play a neutral-site playoff match against Watertown (SD) today at 12:45 p.m. This game is part of the “2024 SDHSAA High School Volleyball Playoff Brackets (South Dakota) – 2024 Class AA State Tournament.”

O’Gorman vs Watertown Volleyball Game Info:

What: South Dakota High School Volleyball
Who: O’Gorman vs Watertown
When: Thursday, November 21, 2024
Time: 12:45 PM
Bracket: 2024 SDHSAA High School Volleyball Playoff Brackets (South Dakota) – 2024 Class AA State Tournament
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Game preview: O’Gorman vs Watertown

As the 2024-2025 volleyball season continues to heat up, the rivalry between Watertown and O’Gorman remains a marquee matchup. With both teams boasting impressive records and exceptional talent, their head-to-head showdown is one of the most anticipated events in South Dakota volleyball.

Team Overview

Watertown (25-6) enters this season with a strong overall record, particularly excelling in regional play where they posted a 13-3 record. The team has been dominant at home, with a 7-3 record, and their 7-1 away performance shows their ability to perform under pressure. Their win percentage stands at an impressive .806, while their region win percentage is slightly higher at .812.

O’Gorman (23-5), meanwhile, sits atop the rankings in the state with a near-perfect regional record of 14-2 and a remarkable 10-1 mark at home. Their .821 overall win percentage and .875 region percentage reflect a highly consistent and formidable team. With key players stepping up in crucial moments, O’Gorman’s offensive and defensive balance makes them one of the best teams in the state.

Statistical Comparison

Looking at team performance, Watertown has been a strong offensive unit, averaging 24.1 points in the first set of matches and staying competitive throughout the season. Their average scoring drops slightly in later sets, but their resilience shines through in the clutch. Meanwhile, O’Gorman has posted consistent scoring throughout the season, averaging 23.4 points per set in the first four sets of matches. Their balanced offense ensures that they are difficult to stop, even when facing adversity.

Head-to-Head Battle

The most recent encounter between these two teams was on September 17, 2024, where O’Gorman took the victory in a thrilling 3-2 match. Watertown won the first two sets, but O’Gorman bounced back with a dominating performance in the last three, securing the win in front of a passionate home crowd.

This loss will surely fuel Watertown as they prepare for future encounters, knowing that they can challenge O’Gorman’s dominance on the court.

Key Players

Watertown’s standout players include Emery Thury, who has been a powerful offensive presence with 447 kills, and Natalie Pearson, who leads the team in both digs (397) and receptions (470). Grace Corey has been a key setter, tallying 915 assists to create scoring opportunities for her teammates.

O’Gorman’s roster also features some exceptional talents, although their exact leader statistics were not available. Regardless, the team’s depth and experience make them a formidable opponent in every match.

Common Opponents

Both Watertown and O’Gorman have had an almost identical record against common opponents. Each team has a 16-2 record against teams they share in the schedule, showcasing how evenly matched they are. For example, both teams defeated Pierre T.F. Riggs, Brandon Valley, and Brookings in dominant performances. However, O’Gorman holds an advantage over teams such as Washington, while Watertown has shown resilience in their own tough matchups.

Record Breakdown

When analyzing their records, both teams have shown consistency across various categories. Watertown’s strength in non-league play stands at 7-3, while O’Gorman has excelled with a 10-1 record. Both teams have strong neutral-site records, but Watertown has been slightly better in away games.

The playoff experience of both teams is undeniable, as both have advanced with flawless playoff records of 1-0.

Looking Ahead

With the postseason fast approaching, Watertown will aim to avenge their earlier loss to O’Gorman. Both teams have what it takes to make a deep run, and their rivalry is sure to intensify as they meet again in neutral-site competition or the state playoffs. Whether Watertown can overcome the setback from their September defeat, or if O’Gorman can continue their dominance, remains to be seen.

One thing is for sure: fans of South Dakota volleyball are in for an exciting conclusion to the season as these two heavyweights clash once more.