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By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
STRATFORD – Betsy Miller has found herself in a position that a month ago she perhaps didn’t see coming.
After coaching the girls basketball team last season, Miller was asked to take over the varsity volleyball program – at least for this season – after a replacement for April Sparbel could not be found during the summer.
Early indications are everything is going well for the new coach, who does have experience coaching in the Stratford athletic program for eight years.
“Practices and everything are really laid back and I think that’s what the team needs right now,” said co-captain Haley Austin. “Everyone’s done really well with it.”
Miler credited her captains, Austin and Hilary Belter, for helping her and the team make a smooth transition in what could have been a difficult situation.
“They are really passionate about the game and leading the girls in a way that you couldn’t ask for more,” Miller said. “The girls are really receptive to me and I hold the captains (responsible) in large part for how successful I’ve been so far – as hard as they are working.”
The Tigers finished 4-3 and in fourth place in the Marawood Conference South Division last year and Miller and her players see that as a realistic goal for this season. After playing in three tournaments over the first 1 ½ weeks, Stratford opens Marawood action Thursday at Pittsville.
Stratford returns five starters, including Austin, Belter and Rachel Ludwig. Sam Frombach is playing libero for the first time and Amber Schneider is the team’s top hitter.
“We have five starters who are two- or three-year returners. The experience is good,” Miller said. “There is not one standout player, they are all solid. It kind of makes it nice. If someone is trying to scout us or see what we do … it makes it more difficult because we kind of have a rounded attack.”
Austin said a top-three finish is what the Tigers are looking for, and team chemistry has them on the right track early in the season.
“We’ve really bonded as a team,” Austin said. “We all get along great and there’s no drama, none of that. We talk a lot and communicate a lot.”
The mix of new players coming in has also helped, Belter said.
“We’ve seen a lot of new talent,” Belter said. “A lot of the younger girls have stepped up from the JV and we’re seeing a lot of good things.”
Miller has had a clear goal of making the Tigers a better all-around team. Offensive hitting and reacting to their opponent’s hitting were weak points a year ago.
“I knew that coming out of last year, hitting was not a strength for us – also, no reaction time,” Miller said. “Their ball control and reaction time were areas that we needed to work on. Coming in, I knew we were going to improve our hitting and we were going to have more ball control and quicker reaction to the ball.”
Stratford also must working on learning to win, Miller said. Some up-and-down performances has shown her that they just have to keep fighting.
“They’re right on the line, it’s just to get that push to see how much they will win,” Miller said. “That extra push to win, the kids as a team, they need to figure it out.”
Stratford volleyball schedule
Thur., Aug. 26 at Stevens Point Tournament 9 a.m.
Sat., Aug. 28 at Marathon Tournament 9 a.m.
Tue., Aug. 31 at Greenwood Quad 3:30 p.m.
Thur., Sept. 2 at Pittsville 7 p.m.
Tue., Sept. 7 AUBURNDALE 7 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 11 at Auburndale Tournament 9 a.m.
Tue., Sept. 14 at Marathon 7 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 20 at Loyal Triangular 5 p.m.
Tue., Sept. 21 EDGAR 7 p.m.
Thur., Sept. 23 at Amherst 7 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 25 at Abbotsford Tournament 9 a.m.
Tue., Sept. 28 at Northland Lutheran 7 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 2 *STRATFORD TOURNAMENT 9 a.m.
Tue., Oct. 5 at Wausau Newman 7 p.m.
Tue., Oct. 12 WIS. RAPIDS ASSUMPTION 7 p.m.
(HOME GAMES IN CAPS)
*Stratford Tournament opponents: Athens, Rib Lake, Mosinee, Rosholt, Spencer, Tigerton, Tri-County