Coupeville Sports

CHS sophomore Scout Smith had a stellar varsity debut. (John Fisken photo)

Release the butterflies.

Opening a new volleyball season at a jamboree, like Coupeville did Saturday, is a good way for players to deal with nerves while honing skills, something CHS coach Cory Whitmore appreciates.

“I’m happy with what I saw today,” he said. “It’s a great way to get the first game butterflies out prior to league and non-league play.

“What impressed me most, and what I wanted to see from today’s competition, was a progression forward,” Whitmore added. “With each time we played either team, we improved.

“We have to work on our consistency for each of the six skills but we set the tone for our capabilities with a solid foundation to move forward in the season.”

Coupeville faced off in three-set matches with Darrington and host Oak Harbor, with both the varsity and JV getting ample floor time.

Whitmore praised the play of sophomore Scout Smith, who is making the jump to the Wolf varsity this season.

With senior setter Lauren Rose sitting out with a leg injury (she lost a fight with a picnic table), Smith played the full six sets, and was the only Coupeville player not to come off the floor.

“Each player had standout moments and when we had six on at a time clicking, things looked solid,” Whitmore said. “As the only sophomore to be on varsity, also in her first outing at the varsity level and never step off the floor, I’m really proud of Scout’s performance and calmness under pressure.”

While Whitmore ran the varsity crew, new JV coach Chris Smith made his debut calling the shots for the farm team.

“Our JV — a large 15-girl group — settled into learning the rotations behind the direction of Chris,” Whitmore said. “I’m happy with what I saw there too.

“Our strong group of sophomores did a fantastic job of settling into their roles as well as helping out the group of freshmen learning on the fly,” he added. “Learning rotations and making adjustments based on positions is a tough thing to do and I was pleased with the base they too have set to progress in consistency.”

Having enjoyed the low-pressure kickoff (“shout out to Oak Harbor for putting on a small, but smooth-running, fun jamboree”), Whitmore now turns to focus on the regular season.

Coupeville opens on the road Tuesday, the first day of school, with a non-conference tilt at Mount Vernon Christian.

“Quick turn-around with no practice time in between,” Whitmore said. “So we will make our adjustments on the fly and always look forward to the next game and challenge.”