Coupeville Sports

   Abby Mulholland (left) with cousin, and Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Famer, Kendra O’Keefe. (Renae Mulholland photo)

Abby Mulholland is part of Coupeville sports royalty.

Her relatives, whether they played as an O’Keefe (or, back in the day, simply as a Keefe), are stocked full of Wolf legends, many of whom are enshrined in the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame.

It’s a big legacy, but one the eternally-upbeat Mulholland is eager to live up to as she prepares to start her 8th grade year at Coupeville Middle School in the fall.

A three-sport star (volleyball, basketball and little league softball), Abby is a young woman for all seasons, but hoops will always have a slightly larger piece of her heart.

“My favorite sport is basketball because of the fast pace, teamwork and adrenaline,” Mulholland said.

“I enjoy the challenge of competition and I believe in teamwork.”

She has “a decent basketball shot,” which uncle Ryan O’Keefe, noted hardwood sage, is helping her perfect, and Mulholland is always eager to fine-tune her skills, regardless of the sport.

“Areas to work on are jump spiking, serving, my speed … my goals are to make it on varsity (in high school) and continue these sports,” she said. “To cheer on my teammates and just have fun.”

Mulholland has a strong support crew and she’s grateful for the many different ways in which they help.

“My dad, who shoots around with me and helped with my basketball shot; Miss (Casie) Dunleavey helped me with serving,” Mulholland said. “Izzy Wells and Genna Wright helped with my confidence, and my mom is my biggest cheerleader.

“(Little League) coach Mimi Johnson inspired me to do better.”

When she’s not playing a sport, Mulholland enjoys her history class and playing trumpet, as well as drawing, photography and trips to Disneyland.

Favorite movies include The Sandlot, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and the Pirates of the Caribbean series and she makes her parents, radio station veterans, proud by enjoying a wide variety of music, from Queen to The Chainsmokers.

While she’s still young and her athletic career stretches far ahead of her, one thing is for sure — on the playing field or off, Mulholland is solid gold.