THE RANKINGS: No. 3 Stratford's 'Spartan Nation' is back to finish the job
IN 2024, STRATFORD FINISHED AS ONE OF THE LAST TWO TEAMS STANDING IN TEXAS IN CLASS 6A-DIVISION II.
The Spartans made a run to the title game, marking the program’s first championship appearance since 2002, before ultimately falling short to the No. 1 nationally-ranked Byron Nelson Bobcats -- finishing the year 42-3 overall.
Jenny Adcock (10 seasons, 217-145) brings back four starters, including Grand Canyon University-commit Audrey Cook. The setter was the District 17-6A Co-MVP after registering 1,326 assists, 375 digs, 66 aces and 54 blocks. Cook has 2,556 career assists entering 2025.
Senior OH Gwen Koss (Providence College) was the other half of the District 17-6A Co-MVP ballot, and finished with 493 kills, 451 digs, 78 aces and 38 blocks in 2024 -- bringing her career kill-total to 2,092.
Other pivotal returners include District 17-6A Newcomer of the Year Tess Stephenson (211 kills, 95 blocks), Milena Miladinovic (129 blocks (17-6A All-District 2nd Team), Caroline White and Lauren Dunwoody.
Keys to success include ball control, out of system offense, establishing a new libero and middle blocker effectiveness, according to Adcock.
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