Coupeville Sports

The baton is passed from Cory Whitmore to Scout Smith. (Sarah Stuurmans photos)

It may be a new era, but winning is still very much in fashion.

After a decade of success under Cory Whitmore, the Coupeville High School varsity volleyball program kicked off the Scout Smith dynasty in style.

Drilling visiting South Whidbey 25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 25-16 Friday in their season opener, the new-look Wolves staked their claim to Island dominance and continued success.

Coupeville’s spikers are coming off the most-successful campaign in their history, earning 4th place at last year’s 2B state tourney.

But much has changed since that team departed the Yakima SunDome with the program’s first-ever trophy.

Seven seniors graduated after carrying an undefeated record into the final day of the season, while Whitmore stepped away after compiling a 106-45 record and three trips to state in nine years.

Taking his spot on the Wolf bench is Smith, a standout setter during her playing days at CHS.

Friday’s rivalry win in her debut as varsity head coach capped a busy, but successful series of days for the ever-talented one, as she also completed her first week as a 3rd grade teacher at Coupeville Elementary.

Guided by Smith, and sparked by the play of the team’s two returning state meet vets — senior Teagan Calkins and sophomore Tenley Stuurmans — the Wolves piled up 37 kills, 30 digs, 31 assists, and 13 service aces against South Whidbey.

Whitmore and recent Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame inductee Taylor Brotemarkle were in the stands Friday to provide moral support for their successors, who return to match action next Tuesday, Sept. 9.

The Wolves play host to another non-conference foe, Nooksack Valley, that night, with JV tipping at 5:00 PM and varsity at 6:30.

Friday stats:

Capri Anter — 5 digs, 1 ace
Haylee Armstrong — 8 kills, 6 digs, 1 ace
Teagan Calkins — 16 kills, 5 digs
Ari Cunningham — 3 kills, 2 digs, 2 assists, 2 aces
Lexis Drake — 1 kill, 5 digs, 1 ace
Dakota Strong — 6 kills
Tenley Stuurmans — 3 kills, 7 digs, 29 assists, 5 aces

Tenley Stuurmans filled up the stat sheet as Coupeville won its season opener.