Coupeville Sports

Jae LeVine

Jae and big sister Micky celebrate during the 8th grade graduation.

Jae LeVine has a ton of heart.

During her swan song to basketball this season, the Coupeville Middle School 8th grader suddenly nailed an unexpected three-point bomb and then danced back up the court, arms outstretched above her head, “Rocky”-style.

It wasn’t about showing anyone up, but simply a moment of pure, unbridled joy for the pint-sized fan favorite in the extra large baggy shorts.

Whether playing sports or stepping in for Danny Savalza and pounding the drums in the band at high school games, she is a walking ray of sunshine, exuding a happiness that is infectious.

The younger sister of Wolf soccer star Micky LeVine, the freshman-to-be will no longer be able to play basketball as she hits high school, however.

Born with a Ventricular Septal Defect (a large hole in the inner heart wall that required open heart surgery as a baby), she also has Aortic Stenosis and will eventually need an aortic valve replacement. Her doctors have prohibited her from playing sports in high school where she would have to run extensively, such as soccer, basketball and track.

“Basketball is hands down my favorite sport and it’s really hard to see everyone that I have played with move on and for me to have to sit back and watch,” LeVine said.

But one setback is not enough to stop her, as she plans to continue playing volleyball and add in softball in the spring.

Toss in being vice president of the freshman class, high school drama (“Which I am very excited for!”), time on the guitar and drums (“They are a big part of who I am!”) and math class (“I know! Like, what kid enjoys math? Well, that would be me!”), and LeVine will have plenty to keep her occupied.

But, if she misses playing basketball too much, the answer is right outside her door.

“Rain or shine, I will go outside for a few hours, turn on my music and shoot hoops.”

While she’s still more than two months away from her first day as a high school student, LeVine is already playing at a higher level, participating in spring volleyball practices. This will be her third season in the sport, and, like usual, she has boundless enthusiasm for the game.

“Everything about volleyball is fun and I really enjoy how intense the long volleys get,” LeVine said. “I also enjoy the love and sportsmanship that most everyone on the team has.

“It really helps when you mess up and then the team doesn’t drag you down,” she added. “They will help lift you up and tell you that they believe in you.”

Smooth as a setter, she is working hard on her serve.

“My strengths would be my sets,” LeVine said. “Areas that I really need to work on would definitely be serving.

“I’m pretty short, so it’s hard to get that ball all the way over the net!,” she added. “Goals for this season are to get my serves over the net and also to have a good relationships with all my teammates.”

She draws support from Micky and little sister Izzy, parents Sean and Joline and her many fans and family friends.

“My parents, of course, have made a huge impact because they are very supportive and they help me believe that all my hopes and dreams are within reach,” LeVine said.

“Someone who I consider a role model and I look up to for their sportsmanship, athleticism, and academics would be Bree Messner,” she added. “She is super smart, funny, and I really look forward to playing sports with her.”