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RANKINGS
OVERLOOKED NO LONGER: Adcock, Stratford thriving in the spotlight
The Spartans have been on a tear throughout this Fall.
After graduating eight seniors off last year’s team, including the District-MVP Skylar George, who’s currently at Utah, what has been the motivation for coach Jennifer Adcock’s group, as Stratford (28-6) has ascended the rankings of H-Town volleyball?
“To be honest I have to give you guys (VYPE) some of the credit, because when we saw that we were placed in the “Other teams to watch” category for the preseason magazine, it really ticked the girls off,” she laughed. “They’ve really felt kind of overlooked this season. They have felt like they really have something to prove.”
“I think that not being seen as a top group before the season has been something that’s fueled their fire to prove people wrong. We don’t focus as much on winning, but we talk a lot about the culture, and being good teammates, and then we train. You combine those aspects, and you have girls who really want to play for each other. It’s a good recipe for us.”
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Stratford has a whole slew of individuals who’ve stepped up in the big moments.
In her eighth-season as head coach, Adcock has turned to her captains, Izzy Rodriguez (Sr. DS), Sophie Corbeil (Sr. OH), and Ashley Jones (Sr. OPP) to anchor the leadership roles among the talented roster, which features the likes of fellow playmakers, Gwen Koss (So. OH), Chloe Popkin (Sr. OH/DS), Audrey Cook (So. S), and Sarah Hickman (So. OPP).
While there is no “alpha” on the court per se, that has actually proven to be beneficial for the Spartans.
“This might sound like lip service, but we value the bench incredibly in our program,” said Adcock. “We have a lot of talent that comes from that side, with several of our players splitting time. I think the leadership, for us, comes from a lot of individuals who step up in particular instances.”
“It helps when several players can be depended on and carry the weight of that responsibility, rather than one individual. We’re fortunate to always have someone who will have your back when times are tough.”
Now that the Spartans are no longer being overlooked, and have a proverbial target on their backs, how has the mentality changed for Adcock’s team?
“It really hasn’t changed much,” she said. “We have approached every single match with the mindset of ‘let’s play hard, let’s play for each other.’ Today is today, and we’re gonna tackle who’s in front of us, regardless of who’s across the net.”
“Having a target on our backs is a big responsibility, because people have this opinion of you now. But I think the girls, buy in large, enter each game with a respect for their opponent, and they aren’t focused too far ahead. We’re trying to appreciate the moment.”
Stratford is now the hunted, but that is unlikely to slow them down as they head into the remainder of their district schedule. All signs point towards a trip to the postseason and beyond, so stay tuned.
THE CAPTAIN: Dual-Sport Terveen Off To Aggieland
AFTER BEING ELIMINATED IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE UIL POSTSEASON A YEAR AGO, STRATFORD BASEBALL MADE A SWIFT REBUTTAL THIS SPRING.
Traversing through the regular season as dominant as ever and carrying the motivation to ensure that last season’s abrupt ending was nothing more than a fluke, the Spartans were co-District 17-6A Champions heading into the postseason.
Steering the Stratford ship was three-year team captain Paxton Terveen.
The defending District 17-6A MVP became the face of the Spartan franchise during his tenure.
“I really just try to lead by example,” said Terveen.“ But, all the performance on the field is indicative of the work that’s put in at practice and on your own time. Each aspect of the game – hitting, fielding, throwing, footwork – has to be built. I try to show the younger guys that every day you work, you’re gaining something more over somebody else and you can be one step ahead.”
Not only is Terveen a machine on the diamond, but on the hard courts of Stratford tennis.
“What’s most beneficial being a multi-sport athlete is the fact that I don’t get too burnt out on one particular sport,” he said “I get the chance to focus on different aspects, such as the mentalities. In tennis, you succeed more than you fail, whereas in baseball it’s the opposite. So, it can be a good confidence booster to alternate throughout the year, while also staying competitive. I know for a fact that my footwork and reaction time has gotten better in baseball because of tennis, so it’s played a significant role in my athletic development.”
Speaking of next level, the Stratford senior will be heading to College Station in the coming months to play for Texas A&M, while majoring in Business. Aside from the opportunity to play for a SEC school, there were several determining factors that ultimately cemented his decision.
“The big thing for me was the coaching,” Terveen said. “(Jim) Schlossnagle has been really great for A&M, just like he was for TCU. Nate Yeskie is one of the best pitching coaches in the nation. They should really help me improve my game. Plus, two guys who play there now –Tab Tracy (OF) and Cameron Donley (catcher) – I’ve played with at Stratford. They have told me nothing but good things about A&M. That made it an easy choice.”
As the Big Man on Campus at Stratford, Terveen has left a lasting legacy for the green and gold.