Coupeville Sports

Valen Trujillo

Trujillo during volleyball season.

They are the words any basketball coach lives to hear.

“My strengths are defense! I can put my game face on!”

As Coupeville Middle School 8th grader Valen Trujillo prepares for the start of her second basketball season (“Yes, I’m a rookie!”), she already has the proper mind-set in place.

Recognizing she still needs to work on her offensive skills, she is determined to make an impact for the Wolves through hustle, hard work and getting up in someone’s face.

A three-sport athlete (she’ll turn out for track in the spring) Trujillo views basketball, where she flops between wing and post, as a nice way to fill her extra hours.

“I wanted to stay in shape and wanted to try basketball out!,” Trujillo said. “It seemed very fun! Also, many of my good friends are also doing the sport.”

Since volleyball ended, she has continued to work out after school with friends Carlie Rosenkrance, Mattea Miller, Savanna Dohner and Tiffany Briscoe (“They are such great motivation during the workouts!”).

The first day of basketball practice is Jan. 22, and with it will come a change in focus, as she tries to add new skills to her hoops game.

“Shooting is my weakness. Last season I never attempted to shoot the ball,” Trujillo said. “But that’s going to change this year! My goals are to work on my skills and improve to the best of my abilities.”

If basketball goes anything like volleyball, she’s sure to be a hit. She and Briscoe paced the Wolf squad all season and are both looking forward to making the jump to high school volleyball next season.

“Volleyball is my favorite sport!!,” Trujillo said. “I just have found a passion for it. Also, I have my “partner in crime,” Tiffany Briscoe.”

She singles out an epic season-ending match against Langley (“The match was neck and neck. We went into overtime; the game points went into the 30’s.”) as a team highlight and was especially pleased with the growth she showed in her serving game.

As an individual, my highlight was getting my over-hand serves down,” Trujillo said. “Also, dives, hustling and digs are some of my favorite things to do in games.”

With a large group of family and friends to call on for support, Trujillo, who sings at her church and wants to learn the guitar, has plenty of role models.

“My parents have taught me how to never give up and to finish what you started. Also, my parents taught me to have sportsmanship,” Trujillo said. “I have a great group of friends and they give me such support and make it enjoyable along the way!”