By Kyle LoJacono
Wharton seniors Ashton Stocker and Caci Andreychuk have been among Tampa Bay’s most productive volleyball players the last four years, but there was a big void on their resumes.
They had as many kills, assists and wins as any duo in the area, but no playoff appearances. That changed Oct. 24 in dramatic fashion.
The Wildcats (25-2) fell behind Class 8A-District 7 tournament host Durant by two sets in the semifinals. Dropping the third would not only eliminate Wharton from the playoffs, but would also end Stocker’s and Andreychuk’s high school careers.
“After the second game we said we can do this as long as we start playing Wharton volleyball,” said Andreychuk, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter.
The Wildcats roared back to win the last three sets and earn their first playoff berth since 2006.
“We both cried after the game,” said Stocker, a 6-foot-1 setter. “To get to share that together was really special.”
The duo met as sophomores when Andreychuk switched club teams and joined Tampa United, where Stocker started playing the year before.
Stocker immediately saw her teammate’s talent, but didn’t think the feeling was mutual.
“Actually our first practice together I swore that she hated me,” said Stocker, who picked up the game in seventh grade at Weightman Middle in Wesley Chapel. “I thought she thought I was a horrible setter. That’s just how she is when you first meet her. She’s very focused. I remember I went home and I cried. I said she hates me and thinks I’m a horrible setter. It ended up working out. … Now I can pretty much set the ball wherever and she can get it.”
Andreychuk said their time together and closeness off the court has given them an unspoken feel for each other.
“We have that hitter/setter chemistry that’s hard to get,” said Andreychuk, who started playing volleyball in sixth grade at Academy at the Lakes. “She knows where I want the ball, which makes it a lot easier.”
Their relationship grew when Stocker transferred from Wiregrass Ranch as a junior.
“When I heard she was coming to Wharton I was happy because I knew she’d make us better,” Andreychuk said.
Fifth-year Wildcats coach Eric Barber said Stocker’s addition has given them consistency setting while moving to a faster-paced attack, but her stature allows her to do more than just run an offense.
“With her height, you just don’t see that in setters,” Barber said. “That lets us use a 5-1 and not lose anything with the block. Even at a college level you don’t see that. She actually adds to our block. We lose something when she rotates back row.”
Stocker is left handed, but learned to play volleyball as a righty. Being partially ambidextrous allows her to also take advantage of the opposition with various sneak attacks, such as a behind-the-back hook dump.
“My freshman year when I was in club they started having me do different things like that,” Stocker said. “I can’t do it all the time, but with Caci on the outside they usually leave the right side open.”
As for Andreychuk, Barber said her athleticism jumped out during tryouts four years ago.
“When I saw her in that first tryout I knew she was going to be a special player,” Barber said “She was gifted beyond a freshman.”
Barber said her strength has improved during the years, but the biggest change has been in Andreychuk’s consistency while hitting around blockers.
The last two years, Andreychuk has totaled 687 kills, 362 digs, 100 aces and 49 blocks. Stocker, a Furman University commit, has amassed 955 assists, 135 kills, 97 digs, 90 blocks and 89 aces.
Wharton’s program has also taken off, going 44-6 since the duo came together, 13 more wins than the previous four years combined. The piles of victories have turned Wildcats volleyball into one of the most popular and well attended sports at the New Tampa school.
“Everyone at school knows about Wharton volleyball now,” Andreychuk said. “Now more people go and want to go to our games. It’s been a big accomplishment to make people care about volleyball.”
Stocker said this year has really stood out because of the excitement that has come with winning 25 of their first 27 matches.
“It’s been the best season that I’ve played in high school or club,” Stocker said. “There hasn’t been any part of it that I haven’t enjoyed. These girls are like family.”
Stocker, Andreychuk and the Wildcats play in the regional quarterfinals at Palm Harbor University Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker
