SPORTSDESK – The Stratford girls had everything go their way in games one and two and Eau Claire Regis had everything go their way in the third and fourth. In a situation familiar to Stratford in this 2017 tournament, they headed to a game five tiebreaker.
In this closely contested state semi-final match, pairing the Stratford Tigers and the Regis Ramblers, it was no surprise it was a knotted up fifth game at 14 all. Then like games three and four, Stratford couldn’t find the open spots on the Regis side to deliver the points or the match. Coach Kafka said her team searched for places to place the ball, “We talked during our timeouts about different holes they had on their side of the court and where to put the ball, and immediately after we made those adjustments, so did they”. Stratford later had match point, up 17-16, yet couldn’t shut the door on determined Eau Claire Regis Ramblers. Down 17-18 Lauryn Nagel’s kill attempt sailed wide towards the Regis bench and the Ramblers claimed victory. Lauryn Nagel, a freshmen standout for the Tigers, created a mid-match spark that put Stratford in a position to have the chances they did. “She’s provided some really great things for us during crunch time”, Kafka said of Nagel, “I told her after the game this is just the beginning for you”.
In 2018 the Tigers will bring back Lauryn Nagel along with 1st team all-conference selections Mazie Nagle and Jadyn Dahlke. This trio, along with many others with state tournament experience, will make 2018 Tiger volleyball must see events.
Click here for highlights and post-match commentary from Coach Kafka –> https://youtu.be/e-ty-eU_do4
Author: News Desk
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