Tigers have bevy of talent back

By Casey Krautkramer

Stratford’s varsity volleyball team has high expectations this season. After all, the Tigers return all but one starting player, Ashley Hollatz, from last year’s squad that had a 27-11 match record after losing to La Crosse Aquinas in a WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal match. Stratford had a 5-0 record while winning the Marawood South Conference championship last season. The Tigers return a bevy of talent this season including senior outside hitters McKenzie Novotny and Kalyn Schueller, senior setters Emerson Roy and Laney Pankratz, junior middle hitter Tria Tubbs and sophomore libero Carly Pankratz. Junior right side/middle hitter Emily Zuelke is a newcomer to this year’s varsity squad.

Roy and Schueller were unanimous first team all-Marawood South Conference players last season. Novotny and Yoder were awarded second team all-Marawood South Conference last year. Tubbs received honorable mention all-conference last season.

Brooke Kafka is in her 14th season as Stratford’s head varsity volleyball coach. Her assistant coaches this season are Rachel Wussow, Jenny Chapel and Abby Moeller. Kafka describes this year’s team.

“The majority of the team returns to the starting lineup,” she said. “Emily Zuelke will likely fit the role of the one open position.”

Kafka believes the several returning players from last season gained valuable experience during the deep playoff run. Stratford beat Edgar, 3-1, in its home Division 3 regional championship match and then lost, 3-1, to La Crosse Aquinas in its home sectional semifinal match.

“Any run in the playoffs deters a team’s mental game,” she said. “So, to have many of these players earn a regional title and play in a sectional game is a great benefit heading into this season.”

Stratford is off to a great start this season with a 12-3 match record after Tuesday’s 3-1 road match win against Newman Catholic. Stratford is ranked sixth in the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association Division 3 poll this week while Marawood South Conference foe Marathon is ranked eighth. Stratford lost to Phillips, 2-1, in the Marathon Early Bird Invitational on Aug. 31 and thus didn’t get an opportunity to play against Marathon in the championship match. Marathon beat Phillips, 2-1, in the tournament championship. Phillips, 9-2, is ranked sixth in the Division 4 poll this week. The Loggers’ only two losses were against the Red Raiders in the Early Bird Invitational.

The Tigers scored a huge 3-0 home sweep against a solid Marshfield Columbus Dons squad on Sept. 3. Roy recorded her 1,000th career assist during Stratford’s match win in straight sets against Columbus.

Stratford has now won four straight matches against Fall Creek in the Marathon Early Bird Invitational, Marshfield Columbus, Pittsville and Newman Catholic.

The Tigers scored a big 3-1 road match victory against the Pittsville Panthers on Sept. 5. Schueller led Stratford with 18 attack kills and Novotny added 13.

Kafka knows that her Stratford squad has a target on its back in conference play this season after winning the Marawood South championship last season.

“We are fortunate year after year to have a competitive and talented Marawood Conference,” she said. “We know that some of our toughest games will come right from our conference schedule. With many returners, we will continue building from where we left off last year to strive toward winning another conference championship.”

STRATFORD VARSITY VOLLEYBALL - Introducing the 2024 Tigers varsity volleyball team. Pictured, from left to right, front row are: Carley Ehrike, Laney Pankratz, Carly Pankratz, Emerson Roy and Maggie Schwabe; back row: Abbi Lewerenz, Gracie Schmidt, Daisy Yoder, Emily Zuelke, Kalyn Schueller, Tria Tubbs and McKenzie Novotny. PHOTO BY AMY SCHWANTES