Though they fell to nationally top-ranked Byron Nelson, the run redefined expectations for the Spartans—and Cook’s impact was undeniable.
“I think the whole experience was so surreal,” said Cook, now a senior. “Of course, it’s not something that many people expected us to do, even ourselves at some points.”
Stratford didn’t need outside validation. Internal belief and team-first culture became their fuel.
“We tend to be against the odds, and I feel like that was a big part of what motivated us,” Cook said. “The team was fired up every round because of the doubts we faced. More so than that, we felt like we were doing it for each other, since that’s the culture which has been built upon each season.”
The stars of 2025-26 Stratford VolleyballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
For Cook, the journey went beyond the scoreboard. It was the small, in-between moments that made the experience unforgettable.
“The trips we took are something that’s going to be ingrained in my memory forever,” she said with a laugh. “The stops at Buc-ee’s, making pallets on the bus when we were trying to sleep. It all sort of combines to make the journey that much more special.”
Cook was named Co-District 17-6A MVP in 2024, sharing the honor with Koss. But heading into her final season, the challenge looks different. Stratford is no longer the underdog—they’re the team to beat.
“For the first time in a while, the target is on us,” Cook acknowledged. “It’s pretty clear that we have to adapt, especially now that a newer group of girls is being brought up into the program. We compete in a super competitive region, so regrouping and understanding that this is a new season will be critical.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
With graduation on the horizon, Cook is embracing an introspective and emotional chapter.
“For me, it’s a really sad experience,” she said. “This has been like family and like home to me for so long. Coach Jenny (Adcock) has been like a mom to me—go to her any day, she’s there for you. That’s something I’m definitely going to cherish, and I’m sure that I’ll continue to stay in contact with her once I graduate.”
Still, her volleyball story is far from over. Cook has committed to Grand Canyon University, where she’ll play at the Division I level—fulfilling a longtime dream.
“I’m so blessed that I get to play beyond high school,” Cook said. “It relates to the welcoming environment I’ve grown used to feeling at Stratford. I’m going to be spending plenty of time with the coaches and players, so it was imperative that I felt something a little more profound when I went to the campus—which is exactly how it played out.”
From locker room laughs to state finals, Audrey Cook’s journey has been anything but ordinary. As she looks ahead, she’s sure to leave behind a footprint rooted in belief, tenacity, and the team that became her second home.
Hightower scores 81 and holds the ball in honor of Kobe Bryant.
The stars of 2025-26 Stratford VolleyballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
