Stratford comes back to beat Shadow Creek in the Regional Final

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houston's Stratford are set to make their first trip to the Texas high school volleyball State Tournament in 20 years after the Spartans came from behind to top the Shadow Creek Sharks 3-1 (20-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-16) in the Regional Final of Conference 6A - Division 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/StratfordVball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StratfordVball</a> are going to the State Tournament! <a href="https://twitter.com/Gwenyth_Koss?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Gwenyth_Koss</a> brings their Regional Final against <a href="https://twitter.com/ShadowCreekVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShadowCreekVB</a> to an end scoring the game-winning point in their 25-17 win on set four. Photos and Match Report will be up at <a href="https://twitter.com/PDTexas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PDTexas</a> over the next couple of days. <a href="https://t.co/98AK8CVU9T">pic.twitter.com/98AK8CVU9T</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1857588371721216401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/11/texas-hs-playoffs-stratford-vs-shadow-creek-photos/">Stratford vs. Shadow Creek - Photos</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stratford get to the State Tournament with a season record of 41 wins and just two losses. They dominated District 17 with an undefeated campaign of 14 victories and handled Westside, Tompkins, Manvel and Shadow Creek in the playoffs, establishing a 20-match winning streak. The Spartans will play Austin's Vandergrift for a spot in the Championship match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Performers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["254038"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6738a9657da82"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Koss was Stratford's most consistent player during the match and played a clean game, with very few errors. She was a solid offensive option to the Spartans, scoring at a good rate from the left and the middle back position and did a great job with her shot selection. The junior outside hitter also handled her backcourt duties extremely well, passing at a very high level and coming up with important digs. Koss' all-around game was one of the foundations for Stratford's solid display, helping the team in different areas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/Gwenyth_Koss?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Gwenyth_Koss</a> with the big swing to start set four with a <a href="https://twitter.com/StratfordVball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StratfordVball</a> point. <a href="https://t.co/8EGnW5UsJY">pic.twitter.com/8EGnW5UsJY</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1857581719806775554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["323202"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6738a9657db20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cook's understanding of the game was instrumental for Stratford's comeback as the junior setter knew exactly which buttons to push in each moment of the match. With leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='269826' first='Sarah' last='Hickman'] having somewhat of a slow start, Cook made the most of her other hitters and gradually got her right side back into a rhythm. Her setting remained accurate and reliable throughout the match and kept the Spartans' offense flowing. The setter also contributed on the backcourt, getting back-to-back aces in a key moment in the second set and delivering many digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":721167,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/IMG_2226.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-721167" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stratford vs. Shadow Creek</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tess Stephenson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Stratford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6738a9657dcd4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dominating the middle helped Stratford pull out the victory and Stephenson and fellow sophomore Milena Miladinovic had both excellent performances. Stephenson was an important offensive weapon for the Spartans and, especially in the second half of the match, was nearly unstoppable in the middle. She also offered important defensive contributions, getting some blocks and many touches, which allowed the defenders behind her to make plays. Stephenson scored points in end of sets, showing confidence and personality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/StratfordVball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StratfordVball</a> continue on a great rhythm and build an 11-4 lead over <a href="https://twitter.com/ShadowCreekVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShadowCreekVB</a> on set three with <a href="https://twitter.com/TessBasketball1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TessBasketball1</a>. <a href="https://t.co/pjEbCphROv">pic.twitter.com/pjEbCphROv</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1857575886414815419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["269826"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6738a9657dd59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Still getting back into her best form after she missed some matches, Hickman improved throughout the match and ended up playing a big role for the Spartans. The junior right side slowly got into a nice offensive rhythm and, when she did it, was a key piece in their scoring efforts. Hickman used her length extremely well, making contact with the ball at a very high point and displaying power in her swings and precision in her tips. She also played a huge defensive role for the Spartans, helping the team slow down Shadow Creek's leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='212731' first='Mackenzie' last='Collins']. Hickman stopped her a few times and used her big lock to make her opponent uncomfortable, which led her to make some errors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":721192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/IMG_2389.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-721192" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stratford vs. Shadow Creek</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212731"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6738a9657ddd6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior carried Shadow Creek's offense throughout the match and did a very good job of remaining consistent. She had eventual struggles with Stratford's blocking, but for most of the time, managed to use her power and athleticism to put the ball down. Collins was nearly perfect when hitting a quick set in the middle when the Sharks got a free ball. Her blocking was also very aggressive and effective. Collins was part of Shadow Creek's serve-receive efforts in nearly every rotation and displayed much-improved ball control. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/kenzCollins2025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kenzCollins2025</a> scores in transition and <a href="https://twitter.com/ShadowCreekVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShadowCreekVB</a> take set one 25-20. <a href="https://t.co/KAV85SJoPL">pic.twitter.com/KAV85SJoPL</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1857566362123612601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["534319"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6738a9657de4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The right side hitter was very productive offensively, displaying interesting resources to put the ball down. A lefty, Brown managed to find nice angles to spike past Stratford's blockers and to mix things up at the net, tooling the block and turning to tips to score points. The sophomore saw her level drop a bit in the last two sets, but continued to be a viable scoring option for Sharks, while also contributing with her blocking. She also helped in serve-receive on some rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":721187,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/IMG_2348.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-721187" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stratford vs. Shadow Creek</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["318194"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6738a9657dec7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shadow Creek's libero did a good job of leading the team defensively. Wiley covered a lot of ground in serve-receive and delivered accurate passes to her setter most of the time. The junior also stood out when playing defense and generated several transition opportunities for her team with her superior ball control. Wiley was tasked with setting in transition on some occasions and displayed great accuracy in getting the ball to her hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":721166,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/IMG_2223.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-721166" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stratford vs. Shadow Creek</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->