Coupeville Sports

Peytin Vondrak at work and rest. (John Fisken photos)

   Vondrak hangs out with volleyball teammates Hannah Davidson (left) and Lucy Sandahl.

At first glance, you would think Peytin Vondrak has been a Wolf for life.

The Coupeville High School sophomore has become so deeply ingrained in the local sports scene, it’s easy to forget she and her family only arrived on The Rock this school year.

Pensacola’s loss has been Cow Town’s epic gain, as Peytin, and lil’ sis Maddie have quickly become integral parts of Wolf Nation.

As she celebrates her 16th birthday today, the coolly elegant Peytin is blossoming into a superstar, as an athlete, but even more so as a brainy, warm-hearted young woman.

Vondrak made her first splash playing volleyball in the fall.

While adjusting to a new school, teammates and coaches (not to mention she had never played volleyball before), she helped the Wolf JV roll to an undefeated 9-0 record in 1A Olympic League play.

When she was on the floor, Vondrak used her natural height and long reach and mixed it with hard work, dedication and a refusal to ever give up on a play.

If the rotation landed her on the bench, she was loyal and supportive of her teammates, always among the first to cheer for her new friends and make sure they knew she had seen, and appreciated, what they had accomplished.

Vondrak strolled away with Most Improved honors at the postseason banquet and frequent behind the scenes praise from her coaches when they discussed their squads.

Now, she’s teaming up with Skyler Lawrence to provide CHS girls basketball with impeccable managerial service this winter.

Once again, behind the scenes praise from her coaches pours in on a regular basis.

Up ahead, plans to play softball in the spring, and even more coaches, teammates and fans to win for the extremely likeable Vondrak.

In the short time she has been here among us, Peytin has made a strong first impression.

She comes across as a well-spoken, thoughtful, talented young woman who, as she finds her way in the world, is going to continue to successfully climb one summit after another.

As a town, a school and a community, we lucked out when the Vondraks reached out, stuck a finger on the far left side of the map and said, “Yep, that’s where we’re going.”

So happy birthday, Miss Vondrak.

I hope that you are enjoying Coupeville as much as the rest of us are enjoying having you here.