Coupeville Sports

  Jacki Ginnings is part of a deep, talented senior class for the Wolf girls’ soccer squad. (John Fisken photos)

   Wolves (l to r) Ana Luvera, Jenn Spark and Marisa Etzell hit the road for conditioning work.

Ready to rumble.

Boasting a roster deep with seasoned seniors and now set free to play against schools more in its size class, the Coupeville High School girls’ soccer squad is ready to explode in 2014.

Having exited the 1A/2A Cascade Conference for the 1A Olympic League, the Wolves, who return virtually all of their starters, are in the mood to mix it up.

“Very excited and happy for the girls,” said second-year coach Troy Cowan. “Finally, they will have the opportunity to compete against schools of similar size.

“Playing in the Cascade Conference provided CHS with an opportunity to play against tough competition, and to be challenged, but now they can stretch their legs out and show everyone what they can do against true 1A school competition.”

As they head into battle with new league mates Port Townsend, Chimacum and early favorite Klahowya — which boasts a run of state tourney appearances — the Wolves will rely on their leaders, who play year round.

Seniors Micky LeVine, Jacki Ginnings, Julia Myers, Erin Rosenkranz, Marisa Etzell and the Luvera sisters (Ana and Ivy) will mesh with young guns like Jenn Spark, May Rose and Bree Daigneault to form a solid core.

Don’t be surprised if a large group of freshmen, players like Mia Littlejohn, Sage Renninger, Lauren Bayne and Mckenzie Meyer, make their presence felt as well.

“I am really excited about this upcoming group of freshmen,” Cowan said. “I think, after the season starts, everyone will see why!!!”

Coupeville lost just two players (Tori Wellman and Joye Jackson) to graduation, but also had three players subtracted for other reasons.

Junior Makana Stone, a Second-Team All-Conference player last season, is taking the season off to get ready for basketball, senior McKayla Bailey returned to volleyball and sophomore Carlie Rosenkrance moved out of state.

Taking a bit of the sting away is the return to the pitch of senior Christine Fields.

The three-time state golf meet qualifier is a battle-tested vet, having played high school and select soccer for many years before taking a break.

Now she’s back and ready to add her skills to an already stingy Wolf defense.

It will all be about “possession, possession, possession” for Coupeville, which will rely on its “experience, leadership and an explosive style of play.”

“My goals are pretty simple — make a huge impact in the Olympic League and let our opponents know that the Lady Wolves are in the house!,” Cowan said. “Play Lady Wolves soccer, give 100%, play smart and never, never quit.

“Demonstrate a high degree of good sportsmanship on and off the field, reflect a positive attitude and be ambassadors for Coupeville High School,” he added. “Oh yeah, almost forgot … no concussions!!!”