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Lady Spartan Varsity Volleyball - Season Closing Update

By Grant Dunwoody, 11/08/21, 1:45PM CST

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Varsity started the playoffs with a matchup against Heights High School. Heights entered the contest with a 28-11 record, finishing second in their district. Varsity coasted to a straight-set victory in what proved to be one of its most dominant performances all season against a high-quality opponent. All healthy varsity players were able to see playing time against Heights, and several girls who were pulled up for playoffs got to see playing time as well.  It was a tribute to the strength of the entire program!  Stratford celebrated its first Bi-District title since 2018.

Stratford next faced off in the Area round against Katy Tompkins. Tompkins entered the match with a 34-5 record, winning its district and showing it to be a serious contender for the state crown. Stratford came up short in a spirited match full of fast-paced action on both sides, with wild momentum swings throughout. 

Coach Adcock wants to recognize the heart and passion with which the team finished the season.  Once again, the Lady Spartans never gave up on any play – chasing balls down wide off the court and finding ways to take swings against a dominant Falcon block and defense.  While it’s always disappointing to lose your final match, we couldn’t be more proud of the growth of this team over the course of the 2021 season.  We started by spending the first five weeks of the season displaced due to gym construction, then spending 18 matches without two starters due to injury and illness.  This group of girls used the adversity to grow closer as teammates and more focused on their overall team goals.  We celebrate the accomplishments of 2021 and look forward to 2022!

Notable individual stats for the week include:

Skylar George – 8 aces, 12 kills, 16 digs

Alexis Andrews – 20 kills, 14 digs 

Nina Terry – 5 aces, 45 assists, 8 digs

Sharlotte McClintock – 7 kills

Emma Hickman – 4 kills, 7 blocks

As the season has drawn to a close, we would like to join with the greater Spartan community to celebrate the many accomplishments of our graduating seniors.

#20, Outside Hitter Alexis Andrews – Lex has been a 3-year letterman and 2-year captain for the Lady Spartans. She has amassed individual honors such as All-District, Academic All-District, GHVCA Pre- and Post- Season Teams, AVCA All-American Watch List, and AVCA Best and Brightest Team.  We will miss Lexi’s tenacity, dedication to her underclassmen, fiery personality, and passion for the game.

#12, Right Side hitter Abby Boerm – Abby is a two-year letterman for the Lady Spartans and a valedictorian for Stratford.  Abby has been Academic All-District last year and we anticipate her winning the award again this season!  She puts up a strong, smart block and is a joy to watch play on the court!  We will miss her huge smile, love for her teammates, incredibly bright personality, selflessness, and genuine heart.

#13, Setter Brooke Mandery – “Brookie” is a one-year letterman for the Lady Spartans.  Brooke is an incredibly dedicated teammate who has worked very hard to balance a highly involved commitment with FFA that requires her to juggle being very busy with two programs at the same time.  We will miss her great serves, positive outlook, willingness to give to her team energy and enthusiasm – she’s always the first to cheer for her teammates!

#11, Middle Blocker Mallory Wagner – “Mal-Pal” is a one-year letterman for the Lady Spartans and a valedictorian for Stratford.  She is one of the kindest, most genuine young ladies who takes care of our younger, sub-varsity players like a big sister.  She is welcoming to new players and we will miss her witty commentary, her selflessness (we saw you always helped set up and take down the nets!), and her huge smile.

Thank you to our seniors for four years of dedication, hard work, and service to the volleyball program.  You have made practices fun, off-season bearable, and we love you for the love you have for each other and your teammates.  As it’s said, “[A legacy is] planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” We know the legacy you leave behind will build a beautiful garden!  You have changed us for the better!