The Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory Fightin’ Irish (17-12) will host the University Red Devils (21-9) in a varsity volleyball playoff match today at 6 PM. This game is part of the 2024 CIF State Girls Volleyball Championships – Division II tournament, and it will be held in San Francisco, CA.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Volleyball
Who: SHCP vs University
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 6 PM
Bracket: 2024 CIF State Girls Volleyball Championships – Division II
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Game preview: SHCP vs University

As the 2024-2025 volleyball season progresses, the records and performances of two standout teams—University and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHCP)—are drawing attention. Both teams have had a mix of success and challenges, and a closer look at their rankings, records, and head-to-head performance provides valuable insights into their seasons.

Overall Performance

University has had a strong season with an overall record of 21-9, including an undefeated league record of 10-0, reflecting their dominance in conference play. They have performed well both at home (8-0) and on the road (7-5), maintaining a solid win percentage of .700 and a perfect 1.000 in league matchups. With 63 wins to 28 losses, University has shown consistency, particularly in its league performance.

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHCP), with a record of 17-12, has faced a more challenging path. Their league record stands at 6-6, a balanced mark that shows improvement but also room for growth. SHCP has performed well at home (6-4), though their road record of 3-5 highlights struggles in away games. With a .586 win percentage and .500 league percentage, SHCP has demonstrated competitive resilience, but inconsistency has been an issue.

Scoring Averages

In terms of offensive firepower, University averages 23.7 points per set in the first five matches and has maintained scoring at a high level, with a slight dip to 16.0 in their most recent matches. Their scoring ability has been a cornerstone of their success, leading them to a 2.1 set win ratio in victories.

SHCP, on the other hand, has posted slightly lower scoring averages, starting at 22.3 points per set but gradually decreasing through the season to 11.3 in the most recent games. Their overall win ratio in sets stands at 1.7 per win, signaling a potential need to improve their scoring consistency in critical moments.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

One of the most interesting aspects of this comparison is how both teams fared against common opponents. University has struggled against teams like Tamalpais, Lowell, and Palo Alto, ending their matches with an 0-4 record against these shared rivals. However, SHCP fared much better, posting a 5-2 record against the same set of teams, including key wins against Lowell and Palo Alto. This head-to-head performance suggests SHCP may have a stronger overall record against similar competition.

Record Breakdown

• University has a perfect league record, 11-0, but faces challenges in non-league matchups, where they hold a 1-4 record.
• SHCP shows a more balanced performance in both league (6-6) and non-league play (1-3), with a clear strength in home games, sporting an 8-3 record.

Playoff Performance

Both teams have demonstrated competitive playoff performances. University maintains a strong 3-0 playoff record, suggesting they are capable of excelling when it matters most. In contrast, SHCP‘s 3-2 playoff record shows they can handle high-pressure situations but might need to improve consistency to match their rivals.

Conclusion

In summary, while University excels in their league, showing a perfect record and strong scoring capabilities, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (SHCP) has demonstrated resilience, especially against common opponents. The two teams’ records suggest differing strengths—University’s dominance in league play and SHCP’s competitive edge in head-to-head matchups with shared competition. As both teams head into the latter part of the season, these contrasting dynamics will likely make for an exciting finish.