GAMES
RANKINGS
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.
THE RANKINGS: Ross, Tan anchor No. 25 Memorial Mustangs
MEMORIAL REACHED THE AREA ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS IN 2024 AND RETURN TWO STARTERS OFF THAT TEAM.
Kaddie Platt enters her seventh year at Memorial (151-100) and her 30th year of coaching overall. Counting her time at the University of Houston and Houston Baptist University, Platt sits at 744 career coaching victories across high school and college entering 2025.
District 17-6A Defensive Player of the Year Kassia Tan is back for Platt. The senior was also first-team, all-district selection; AVCA Phenom Watchlist, in addition to being a GHVCA Postseason team pick. Tan hit the 1,000 career digs mark in 2024 with 536 on the season.
District 17-6A Setter of the Year Ella Ross is back after registering 621 assists last year, averaging 5.1 assists perset. Ross surpassed the 1,000 career assists milestone in 2024. Other key returners include Anna Scott Tom (1.3 blocks per game, hit .308), who will have a big presence on offense while also being a critical blocking threat.
Also back is Addie Beckcom, who is a “scrappy competitor”.
Other players to watch are Sophie Sharp, Taylor Harting, Mary Schwieder, Tesa Solis, Bess Berg, Adelyn Johnson and Mary Alan Reeves.
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