Coupeville Sports

      Allie Hanigan (left) and Hailey Hammer are back to lead a new pack of Wolves. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

The Kirsty Croghan era has officially begun.

While the Coupeville High School volleyball squad doesn’t play its first regular match until this Thursday (hosting Cedarcrest at 5:30/7:00), the Wolves kicked off the 2013 season Saturday with a trip up the Island.

Playing at a tournament hosted by 3A Oak Harbor, 1A Coupeville won a pair of matches and fought hard in its losses.

One of those, a narrow 25-23 defeat, came at the hands of La Conner. Croghan, a former Wolf star who is replacing the retired Toni Crebbin as CHS coach, had been an assistant at that school the last couple years.

“Things went great. For not having our entire team on the court throughout the day, I couldn’t have asked for a better start,” Croghan said. “The girls and I were both pleased with their performance.

“We have some changes to make and things to work on, but I will take that,” she added. “Nobody wants their team to peak at the start of the season. I am excited for things to get started!!”