Coupeville Sports

Dakota Strong shredded Darrington’s defense Thursday night. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Dakota Strong was a force of nature unleashed.

Playing her most complete match Thursday, the Coupeville High School sophomore rained down hot death on visiting Darrington, sparking the Wolf JV spikers to a straight-sets win.

With Strong leading a team-wide embrace of big hits, CHS slipped past the Loggers 25-16, 25-21, 25-19 on a night when frequent Homecoming proposals captured a chunk of the spotlight.

The victory lifts the Coupeville JV to 3-1 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 4-1 overall, with a week before Orcas Island visits Cow Town Oct. 3 for the next match of the season.

Strong, who said yes to going to the big dance with boyfriend Landon Roberts, was electric all night long.

Adeline Maynes and Tenley Stuurmans set up their teammates with pinpoint passes, and seven different Wolves ripped a kill past Darrington’s defense.

None stood as tall as Strong, however, who mixed lightning bolts with artful tips, picking up winners at crucial moments.

Making mom Danette Beckley beam even more than normal, Danica’s “lil’ sis” kept the Wolf faithful on their feet with her stellar play, as did her teammates.

Wolf spikers and their support crew celebrate a win. (Ana Mc Fetridge photo)

Darrington actually led in all three sets, only to have Coupeville come roaring from behind to seize the day in each frame.

With the first set knotted at 9-9, the Wolves got back-to-back tip winners from Strong and Chelsi Stevens to surge ahead, followed by a rat-a-tat attack of lasers.

Lexis Drake and Stuurmans joined Strong in shredding the psyche of their foes, with Stuurmans thumping a service ace right down the middle of the floor to end the first set.

Set #2 featured Capri Anter, Sydney Van Dyke, and Haylee Armstrong ripping off torrid runs at the service stripe, while Strong continued to toast the ball every time it came within range.

If the Loggers thought they might rally in the final frame, that idea quickly went out the window.

Doing the splits while airborne, Drake hammered a winner between two defenders, followed by a pair of superb slice shots from Stevens which dazzled the crowd.

Maynes provided the night’s final highlight reel, tearing off nine straight points on her serve to thoroughly deflate Darrington, while Anter nimbly dominated at the net in the waning moments.

Toss in appearances by Isa Mc Fetridge and Delilah Castellanos, and CHS coach Ashley Menges got strong work from everyone on the floor.

Thursday stats:

Capri Anter — 6 kills, 4 digs, 4 aces
Haylee Armstrong — 1 kill, 11 digs, 4 assists, 1 ace
Lexis Drake — 6 kills, 1 dig, 3 aces
Adeline Maynes — 1 kill, 3 digs, 13 assists, 6 aces
Chelsi Stevens — 4 kills, 1 dig
Dakota Strong — 8 kills, 1 solo block
Tenley Stuurmans — 6 kills, 3 digs, 8 assists, 1 ace
Sydney Van Dyke — 7 digs, 1 assist, 1 ace