The Valley Christian Trojans (27-12) varsity volleyball team from Chandler, AZ, will face the Snowflake Lobos (30-9) in a neutral-site playoff match on Tuesday, November 12, at 5:00 PM. This game is part of the 2024 AIA State Girls Volleyball Championships for Arizona’s Conference 3A.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Volleyball
Who: Valley Christian vs Snowflake
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Girls Volleyball Championships (Arizona) – Conference 3A
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Game preview: Valley Christian vs Snowflake

On November 12, Snowflake and Valley Christian will meet for a high-stakes playoff match, promising an intense showdown based on their season performances and previous matchups. Both Arizona high school volleyball teams are entering the game with strong records and impressive skill sets. Here’s a closer look at what fans can expect in this clash of volleyball titans.

Team Records and Rankings

Snowflake (30-9 overall) and Valley Christian (27-12 overall) have each demonstrated season-long dominance, finishing undefeated in their respective sections at 10-0. Snowflake has played consistently well across different venues, boasting an 11-2 record at home, 9-1 away, and 10-6 on neutral grounds. Valley Christian, meanwhile, has excelled particularly in away matches with a perfect 13-0 record and a strong 7-0 performance at home.

Recent Meeting Recap

In their last encounter on October 18, Valley Christian took a 3-1 victory over Snowflake in a non-conference match, winning by set scores of 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, and 25-20. Snowflake will be looking to avenge this loss on neutral ground, and with playoff pressure, the stakes are even higher.

Scoring Averages

Both teams have shown powerful offense:

• Snowflake scores an average of 22.0, 22.7, and 20.3 points in their first three sets and closes with 24.0 points in the fourth.
• Valley Christian starts strong with averages of 23.1 in both the first and second sets, ramps up to 22.8 in the third, and peaks with 25.0 in the fourth.

Key Statistics

The teams stack up closely in terms of stats, but each has slight advantages in specific areas:

• Kills: Valley Christian has a notable edge with 1,269 kills to Snowflake’s 1,070, led by their standout hitter Sadie Wahlin, who has recorded 260 kills.
• Blocks: Valley Christian leads with 268 total blocks, while Snowflake has 155, with Ranell West’s 84 blocks playing a pivotal role.
• Serving Aces and Digs: Valley Christian edges out with 284 aces and 1,603 digs, while Snowflake has 268 aces and 1,284 digs.

Key Players to Watch

• Snowflake: Chelsea Caskey is a standout, leading in kills (390), aces (58), digs (257), and receptions (376). Setter Gracie Lundberg has also been instrumental with 703 assists.
• Valley Christian: Besides Wahlin, the Trojans have Madi Brown-Mcalpine leading in serving aces (66) and assists (726), and Ellie Gregg showcasing defensive prowess with 507 digs.

Common Opponent Performance

Against shared opponents, Valley Christian holds an undefeated 5-0 record, whereas Snowflake stands at 3-2. This difference might give Valley Christian a psychological advantage, as they have already demonstrated dominance over familiar competition.

Playoff Implications

Both teams are 2-0 in playoff games this season, underscoring their postseason strength. With Valley Christian’s previous win and Snowflake’s hunger for redemption, this match is set to be a thrilling battle of skill and strategy.

Prediction

The data suggests a slight edge for Valley Christian based on their recent win and statistical advantages, but Snowflake’s adaptability and strong all-around team play make them a formidable challenger. This playoff clash is likely to be a close one, with both teams pushing to their limits for a spot in the next round.