Coupeville Sports

CMS spiker coach Cris Matochi continues to build a strong program. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Joining Matochi is Coupeville alumni Raven Vick (right), and, occasionally, her sister Willow.

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The Coupeville Middle School volleyball teams hit the road for the first time this season, surviving a visit Thursday to the wilds of Granite Falls.

The Wolves opened the season with three straight tilts at home, and now get the flip side, not playing on Whidbey again until Oct. 24.

The tale of the road trip:

Varsity:

Using a new player rotation, the Wolves pushed a high-class Granite squad to the limit before falling 25-23, 25-23.

CMS then rebounded to claim a third practice set 15-13.

The loss evens Coupeville’s record at 2-2 at the halfway point of its eight-match season.

Even in defeat, Wolf coaches Cris Matochi and Raven Vick came away pleased with a lot of what they saw on the floor.

“They played really well and everyone got a chance to have good contacts with the ball,” Vick said.

Coupeville was strong when serving, with Adeline Maynes “having long runs at the line every time she served.”

Tenley Stuurmans was also on fire, opening the second set with a six-point run on serve.

Vick praised the play of Lexis Drake, who “had some great passes and consistent serving,” and Haylee Armstrong, who “had many opportunities to hit the ball and had consistent passing.”

“Rhylin (Price) and Capri (Anter) chipped in with good passing and serving as well,” Vick added.

JV:

Granite claimed the match 25-6, 25-11, but Coupeville roared back to claim a third set 16-14.

The Wolves, now 1-3 on the campaign, got a season-best performance from 6th grader KeeArya Brown.

“KeeArya was on fire tonight with her passing and did well on serving,” Vick said. “She passed 80% of the balls and they were fantastic.”

Alexis Hewitt chipped in with stellar work at the service stripe, and the young Wolves continue to show growth and desire.

“They all played really hard and had good effort,” Vick said. “We struggled with setting up the second ball and that’s what failed us, but they picked it up in the last set to take the win.

“Everyone did their part and they played well.”