Coupeville Sports

Grey Peabody faced off with the best hitter in the Northwest 2B/1B League, and didn’t blink. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Like gunshots going off.

That’s what it sounds like when La Conner’s Ellie Marble — the best player Coupeville will face this season — unleashes kills at close range while bouncing high off the volleyball court.

Once in awhile, you can blunt her attack, and that of her talented teammates, such as Olivia Schaffeld and Grey Peabody did on one impressive block Tuesday night.

But stop Ellie Marble once, and she’ll lash 10,001 more winners, almost invariably leading to the latest of the 500+ wins mom Suzanne has earned while in charge of La Conner’s high-flying spiker program.

The latest of those W’s came Tuesday, as the visiting Braves staggered Coupeville’s varsity 25-12, 25-9, 25-10.

The loss drops the Wolves to 8-2 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 8-5 overall, while La Conner climbs to 10-0, 13-0 as it seeks a third-consecutive 2B state title.

Coupeville, a team with no seniors on its roster, has looked very strong in some matches this season.

But the Wolves have also struggled against hard-hitting, powerhouse teams, such as La Conner and non-conference foe South Whidbey.

It’s not that CHS doesn’t have players capable of unleashing big kills, as evidenced by Ryanne Knoblich launching a winner from the middle of the court which split the defense.

But the Wolves were unable to put together more than a point or two at a time, while the Braves lashed winners in great gobs.

BANG! BANG!! BANG!!!!

Marble abused the volleyball in a manner rarely seen in the CHS gym, drawing a wary shake of the head from Wolf boys basketball coach Brad Sherman, who stopped by to watch a bit of the action.

After seeing Coupeville spikers like Lyla Stuurmans and Jill Prince attempt to stand strong against the incoming blasts from Marble and her fellow La Conner snipers, Sherman was impressed, yet cautious.

“Yeah, I’m not standing in her way when she hits like that,” he said while softly shaking his head. “That stuff would hurt!”

In the midst of balls raining down around them, the Wolves dug in and fought back with some scrappiness.

Peabody, moments after teaming with Schaffeld on the block, made a sensational running save on a ball heading for out of bounds.

Add in a couple of smokin’ aces from Alita Blouin, some ferocious work at the net from Schaffeld, Prince, and Savina Wells, and strong passing by Maddie Georges, and there were bright points to savor.

Georges finished with 12 assists on the night, and now sits with 202 on the season.

Tuesday stats:

Alita Blouin — 4 digs, 1 assist, 2 aces
Maddie Georges — 8 digs, 12 assists
Taygin Jump — 4 digs
Ryanne Knoblich — 1 kill, 1 dig
Grey Peabody — 1 block assist
Jill Prince — 5 kills
Olivia Schaffeld — 4 kills, 1 solo block, 1 block assist
Lyla Stuurmans — 2 digs
Lucy Tenore — 1 kill, 1 ace
Savina Wells — 3 kills, 1 dig, 1 ace

Jill Prince delivered a team-high five kills Tuesday, then accepted an invitation to the Homecoming dance.