Convenience Big Store: Stratford seniors help fuel volleyball team's red-hot start

August 17, 2023

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Volleyball: Stratford brings major momentum into 2023 despite a new group of starters.

A win over Katy Tuesday continued the hot start to the volleyball season for the Stratford Spartans.

The Spartans graduated most of their starting lineup, but it has not affected their level of play. A skilled group of 10 seniors is leading a 9-1 start.

Seniors Chloe Popkin, Emma Dunwoody and Sophie Corbeil are proven leaders for head coach Jenny Adcock.

"The culture and academics, as well as a winning program, honestly everything that was super important to me," Adcock said.

Stratford visits Clear Springs on Friday, followed by a Monday match at St. Agnes. The Spartans then play at Volleypalooza in Leander to finish next week and will open September at the Clear Creek ISD tournament.

Three things to watch

Cinco Ranch makes statement win: Including a 25-21, 25-13, 25-18 win over Cypress Ranch Tuesday night, the Cougars added to a good start this time around after picking up wins over a pair of top-10 teams last week. Despite the loss for the Mustangs, junior Taylor Porter is poised for a big season.

Clear Springs topples state runner-up: The Chargers fell behind early before reeling off three straight sets to beat Tompkins, last year's state runner-up in Class 6A. Clear Springs improved to 9-2 on the season with the win.

Time for team tennis: The Texas Tennis Coaches Association released its preseason state rankings for UIL team tennis, with four Houston area schools among the top seven.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Note to coaches: Submit scores and stats on game nights by emailing hssports@houstonchronicle.com.

Rob Tate, Deputy High School Sports Coordinator

rtate@houstonchronicle.com

Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to Seven Lakes volleyball player Megan Chapman, who's the winner of the Houston High School Girls Athlete of the Week. Chapman closed her first varsity week with all-tournament honors, along with teammate Sameena Burns, as the Spartans took third in the Katy/Cy-Fair Gold Bracket. Chapman recorded three aces and 79 digs in seven matches, averaging 4.4 per set.

Congratulations to Oak Ridge water polo player Thai Koehnle, who's the winner of the Houston High School Boys Athlete of the Week. Koehnle collected six goals and two assists and a steal during the War Eagles' 13-8 victory against San Antonio Johnson on Saturday. He also had six goals during a 26-7 win over Harlan.

Check Monday's newsletter for a new set of polls.

Shout out

A baseball team from League City won the American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C. on Tuesday night. Santa Fe alumnus Jacob Cyr scattered six hits in a complete-game effort over Lincoln, Neb.

The American Legion is an amateur baseball league that has competed in the U.S. since the early 1900s. League City was the first Texas squad to win.

Stat of the day

40: The number of seniors who are ready to suit up for the Lamar Texans football team this season. Head coach Michael Lindsey begins his sixth season at Lamar looking to improve on a 9-3 record.