The Riverside (Leesburg, VA) varsity volleyball team will play a neutral-site playoff match against Kellam (Virginia Beach, VA) today at 12:15 PM in the VHSL Class 5 State Tournament Championship at the Siegel Center (VCU). This game is part of the 2024 VHSL Girls Volleyball State Brackets for Class 5.

Riverside vs Kellam Game Info:

What: Virginia High School Girls Volleyball Playoffs
Who: Riverside vs Kellam
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 12:15 p.m. ET
Bracket: VHSL Class 5 State Tourn Champ @ Siegel Ctr (VCU)
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Game preview: Riverside vs Kellam

As the 2024-2025 volleyball season unfolds, two teams have dominated their respective regions, making a significant mark in the state rankings: Kellam and Riverside. Both teams have demonstrated impressive records, strong leadership, and formidable performances, but how do they compare on paper?

Record Overview

Kellam (Virginia, Division 5) boasts an overall record of 19-9, with a strong regional performance of 12-4. Their success has been driven by a solid home and away record (10-3 and 7-3, respectively), but their neutral-site performance (2-3) reflects a slight challenge outside familiar territory. The team’s win percentage stands at .679, with an even higher regional win percentage of .750.

In contrast, Riverside (Virginia, Division 1) is a powerhouse, with an outstanding overall record of 27-1. Their regional performance is equally impressive, at 9-1, and they’ve gone undefeated at home (14-0), on the road (8-1), and at neutral sites (5-0). Riverside’s win percentage of .964 and a regional win percentage of .900 underline their dominance across all competition levels.

Team Scoring and Key Statistics

When it comes to scoring, both teams have put up substantial averages across the board. Kellam’s five-player scoring averages range from 14.3 to 23.7 points per set, with their overall team average sitting at 23.0. Riverside, however, has a slightly higher team average of 23.8, with individual players contributing between 15.0 and 24.0 points per set. Riverside edges out Kellam in scoring efficiency, but the difference is marginal, indicating both teams are consistently potent offensively.

Defensively, both teams show impressive numbers. Kellam has tallied 1064 kills, 169 total blocks, and 311 serving aces, while Riverside outpaces them in total kills with 1567. Riverside also leads in digs (1211) and receptions (475), showcasing a defensive and passing game that is both efficient and comprehensive.

Individual Standouts

Kellam’s standout players include #22 Audriana Neil, who leads the team with 259 kills, and #6 Riley Erwin, who has contributed 55 serving aces and 475 assists. On the defensive side, Sydney Stone has been an invaluable asset, leading the team with 396 digs and 464 receptions.

For Riverside, the team features a balanced attack with contributions from multiple players. Their top performers include #11 Vanessa Jarvis, who leads with 64 total blocks, and #6 Riley Erwin, contributing 16 serving aces and 475 assists. Defensively, Sydney Stone’s 396 digs and 464 receptions parallel her role at Kellam, demonstrating a strong back-row presence.

Head-to-Head and Record Breakdown

Although both teams boast exceptional records, they have not faced each other yet this season. However, their respective records against common opponents paint a clearer picture of their strength. Kellam has gone 10-3 at home and 7-3 on the road, whereas Riverside has dominated across the board, with a perfect 14-0 record at home, 8-1 on the road, and 5-0 in neutral-site games.

In postseason play, Kellam holds a 5-0 playoff record, while Riverside maintains an unbeaten 6-0 record in the playoffs. Both teams have proven themselves capable of performing under pressure.

Conclusion

While Kellam has had a solid season and is a formidable opponent, Riverside’s flawless performance with an overall record of 27-1, undefeated across multiple venues, positions them as the stronger team. Kellam will need to raise their game to match Riverside’s depth and consistency. The eventual matchup between these two teams promises to be an exciting showdown for Virginia volleyball fans.