Texas HS Playoffs: Area Round – Tompkins vs. Stratford

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most exciting portion of the Texas high school volleyball season has arrived as the playoffs officially began this week, with matches being held all over the Lone Star State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We, at Prep Dig, are excited to continue to cover the season here in Texas and will try to be in as many playoff matches as possible to follow the journeys of the many rising stars in our state, providing coverage that includes articles, photos and social media highlights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Thursday, November 7, our playoff coverage continued at the Merrell Center, in Katy, where the Tompkins Falcons and the Stratford Spartans met in the area round of Division 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/11/texas-hs-playoffs-area-round-tompkins-vs-stratford-photos/">Texas HS Playoffs: Area Round - Tompkins vs. Stratford - Photos<br></a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans played a solid match and were better in the deciding moments to produce a 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-20) victory and advance to the Regional Quarterfinals, where they will face the winners of the match between Manvel and Clear Creek early next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/TessBasketball1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TessBasketball1</a> seals the deal in the middle as <a href="https://twitter.com/StratfordVball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StratfordVball</a> win set three 25-20 and complete the sweep against <a href="https://twitter.com/OTHSVolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTHSVolleyball</a>, surviving the area round. Photos and Match Report dropping soon at <a href="https://twitter.com/PDTexas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PDTexas</a>. <a href="https://t.co/3ntnTzH8Xd">pic.twitter.com/3ntnTzH8Xd</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1854687085032067323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- 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":["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-672d8599ec316"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The junior setter played an outstanding match and helped Stratford overcome the absence of its leading scorer and still beat a tough opponent. Without star right side [player_tooltip player_id='269826' first='Sarah' last='Hickman'], Cook had to come up with a different offensive strategy for the team and she did a really good job with it, having outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='254038' first='Gwenyth' last='Koss'] as her go-to hitter, but keeping everyone else involved. The setter's reliability and diversified distribution kept Stratford in a good rhythm during the entire match and that made a difference in the decisive moments. Cook also did a good job with setter dumps (and even a swing on two on set two) and also came up big from the service line, getting two aces on set two, which ended up giving Stratford the edge to win it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/audrey_cook01?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@audrey_cook01</a> serves off set three and assists <a href="https://twitter.com/averykent2025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@averykent2025</a> as she scores the first point for <a href="https://twitter.com/StratfordVball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StratfordVball</a>. <a href="https://t.co/dP8SA97SQO">pic.twitter.com/dP8SA97SQO</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1854681532256100599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- 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-672d8599ec37d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The junior outside hitter stepped up in the absence of Hickman and embraced a larger offensive role than she typically has with great success. Koss was always available to swing and managed to score at a good clip - her swings from the middle back position were always very well-placed. She appeared in nice combination plays and made good decisions in difficult situations, but still ended up getting blocked on a few occasions, which was to expect considering her big offensive load. Despite having to carry the team offensively, she was as solid as usual on the backcourt, keeping her passing steady and efficient and coming up with big digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's a tight start for set one and <a href="https://twitter.com/GwenythKoss?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GwenythKoss</a> scores from the backcourt to give <a href="https://twitter.com/StratfordVball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StratfordVball</a> a 13-12 lead. <a href="https://t.co/5dRQcVO6zh">pic.twitter.com/5dRQcVO6zh</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1854680019072618782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- 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":"Avery Kent","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32925","_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":"[program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors']","_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-672d8599ec411"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior also helped Stratford make up for Hickman's absence, being a key piece in the team's offense. Kent moved back to the right after having spent most of the season on the left and had an excellent performance there. She may not have produced at Koss' level when it comes to volume, but delivered in key moments, scoring the game-winning points in sets one and two, when Tompkins had the Spartans under pressure. Kent made very few errors in the match and found some really nice angles with her swings to beat blockers and defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/averykent2025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@averykent2025</a>'s crosscourt swing gives <a href="https://twitter.com/StratfordVball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StratfordVball</a> the 25-22 victory on set one. <a href="https://t.co/ixFbmnlcKw">pic.twitter.com/ixFbmnlcKw</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1854680209754149261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- 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":"Logan Skyes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_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-672d8599ec48c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming in for one of the team's outside hitters, the defensive specialist added a lot to the Spartans on the backcourt. Skyes handled her serving duties very well and helped keep the team's offense in system with accurate deliveries. She was also very active defensively in the middle back position, making some impressive digs in the first set, and also had nice serving runs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Lauren Dunwoody","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_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":"Texas One","_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-672d8599ec501"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The junior came off the bench in a moment in which Stratford had some struggles at the pin and helped stabilize the team's game. Dunwoody wasn't necessarily exceptional in any areas of the game, but did everything she was asked very efficiently, delivering exactly what the Spartans needed to continue in a good rhythm. She did a good job with her passing and did a good job of avoiding offensive errors, using smart tips and roll shots to score or, at least, create difficulties for the opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":717679,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/IMG_2033.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-717679" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tompkins vs. Stratford</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["203987"],"_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-672d8599ec546"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dumas was a bright spot in a match in which most of Tompkins' players couldn't perform at their usual levels. The senior had her setting duties made difficult because of the team's passing struggles, but still managed to remain precise and feed her hitters with good sets. She had good moments offensively and, on multiple occasions, scored in moments whee the Falcons were struggling, putting them back in the game. She also contributed a blocks and some digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/caelyn2025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@caelyn2025</a> tools the block and help <a href="https://twitter.com/OTHSVolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@othsvolleyball</a> keep control of set two - they lead 14-12. <a href="https://t.co/PIV6xKF1sA">pic.twitter.com/PIV6xKF1sA</a></p>&mdash; Guilherme Torres (@grtorres) <a href="https://twitter.com/grtorres/status/1854681406338633851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- 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":"Elsa St. Rose","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Tompkins","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors']","_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-672d8599ec5ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The freshman didn't shy away from the responsibility of leading her team's offense and kept swinging until the end. St. Rose started the match very well, finding ways to score even when out-of-system or blocked by multiple opponents, and quickly became the team's main scoring option. She made some mistakes in the second half of the match, but most of the times, responded well to them. The outside hitter also struggled a little bit with her passing, but her offensive production in a difficult match far overweighted it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":717668,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/IMG_1975.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-717668" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tompkins vs. Stratford</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->