Wolves nip at big dogs

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Wolves nip at big dogs

October 6, 2021 by David Svien

Maddie Georges played strongly Wednesday, but Coupeville couldn’t topple La Conner. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

They’re a solid #2.

In the season-and-a-half since rejoining the Northwest 2B/1B League, the Coupeville High School varsity volleyball team has played 16 matches against conference foes, going 12-4.

That’s 12-0 vs. the combined forces of Friday Harbor, Concrete, Darrington, Mount Vernon Christian, and Orcas Island.

And, after a road loss Wednesday, 0-4 against two-time defending state champs La Conner, which hasn’t lost a league tilt in a decade-plus, or dropped a set in any kind of match since Covid first arrived.

The Braves, anchored by junior Ellie Marble — well on her way to a third-straight league MVP season — are big hitters, dynamic passers, and high IQ athletes.

Hence Wednesday’s 25-12, 25-11, 25-18 win, which lifts La Conner to 7-0 in league play, 8-0 overall.

Coupeville, which is off until a trip to Orcas Oct. 12, is 6-1 in NWL competition, 6-3 overall.

While the Wolves are chasing the Braves — just like every other 2B program in the state — they are putting up a strong fight.

There were moments in Wednesday’s match when young Wolves like freshman Savina Wells cracked off some lightning bolts which hit and exploded with fury.

Also, a lot of hustle, as Alita Blouin, Maddie Georges, and Co. hit the floor in pursuit of incoming balls, kept plays alive, and refused to go quietly.

But, ultimately, La Conner’s impressive net game proved hard to handle, giving Braves fans much to enjoy.

Still, even in defeat, Coupeville coach Cory Whitmore found positives.

“It was a bit rough at times, but La Conner is as-advertised, and at least had to earn their points,” he said. “When given the chance, we had few attack errors and service errors, which is more progress.

“The third set was stronger being that there were more rallies and defensive chases,” Whitmore added. “I thought that when given the chance, we executed our game-plan pretty well.

“We just have to tighten that up to play the long-game with them, set-to-set and generate our own offense and chaos-creating plays. Throughout the match, I was pleased to see our cohesion remain strong and energy remain consistent.”

Wednesday stats:

Alita Blouin — 7 digs, 1 ace
Maddie Georges — 1 kill, 8 digs, 8 assists
Taygin Jump — 1 dig
Ryanne Knoblich — 3 digs
Jill Prince — 2 kills, 1 block assist
Olivia Schaffeld — 1 kill, 2 digs, 1 block assist, 1 ace
Lyla Stuurmans — 1 kill, 4 digs
Lucy Tenore — 2 kills, 1 block assist, 1 ace
Savina Wells — 4 kills, 1 block assist