Coupeville Sports

Willow Leedy-Bonifas, seen here last season, played strongly Thursday. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

It was a memorable trip.

Thursday’s trek to the wilds of Sultan was about more than just volleyball for the Coupeville Middle School spikers.

Wolf coach Cris Matochi had to push through a back injury to make an appearance, while the poor air quality — 295 on the index — left the outside of the gym looking like snow was falling.

Once inside the enclosure, CMS faced off with a tough Turks program in a rematch of an earlier-season rumble, with the host teams getting a bit of revenge.

How the day played out:

Varsity:

Coupeville pulled out a three-set win on Whidbey Island back in early October, but this time around Sultan came out ahead 25-20, 25-21, 15-10.

Sapped by the long trip and the stagnant, smoke-filled surroundings, the Wolves hit the floor missing a bit of their mojo.

“We started with lower energy and had to dig ourselves out of a hole,” said Wolf coach Raven Vick.

“By the end they played really well, but it was just too late in the game.”

Coupeville, normally a strong-serving team, struggled a bit at the line, and that hurt, though the Wolves did “execute the game plan well and had nice ball handling from everyone.”

Vick and Matochi praised the play of Adeline Maynes, who was on fire as a setter, and Haylee Armstong, who sprayed winners all day.

“Haylee was a standout, getting multiple attacks and had one kill that left us coaches speechless,” Vick said.

“She had amazing form and crushed the ball to the floor.”

JV:

The Wolves “played well and worked hard to get a consistent three touches but struggled with keeping the ball in” during a 25-12, 25-14, 15-8 loss.

“The times we did get all three touches, we would get the point,” Vick said.

Willow Leedy-Bonifas and Emma Leavitt were on point with their serves, setting up positive Wolf rallies.

“Everyone chipped in and did well,” Vick said. “We saw more people who have struggled with serves get at least one serve in, which was great.

“They had some positive energy which was great to see as they really wanted to play well.

“They hustled to every ball and gave so much effort. It was exciting to see.”

Coupeville closes its eight-match season with back-to-back rumbles against Island rival Langley next week.

The Wolves host the Cougars Monday, Oct. 24, then head south two days later.