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Archive for the ‘Girls Tennis’ Category

Kenzi LaRue

Kenzi LaRue charges into each new day with a smile. (John Fisken photos)

LaRue

LaRue shares a laugh with volleyball teammate Katrina McGranahan.

vb

Puttin’ in work as a a photo-bomber.

Kenzi LaRue is not shy.

Or, if she is, she hides it really, really well.

One of the most outgoing of all Wolf athletes, the Coupeville High School junior, who celebrates a birthday today, is a big-energy, big-talent fireball who lights up the universe around her.

When she’s not dropping spikes for the volleyball squad or swatting winners for the Wolf tennis team, Kenzi is a singer and actress who’s busy chasing those dreams with lil’ sis Chloe.

While her older brother, former CHS football legend Caleb Valko, was fairly low-key, Kenzi, without a doubt, is here to put on a show every day.

She seems to enjoy every moment of her life, and she’s entertaining to cover as a reporter, since she’s constantly zinging around, delivering monologues, a bit of smack talk, and a running commentary on life to anyone in her sight.

Will she hit it big in life?

You never know. Acting and singing are tough gigs to break into for anyone, even someone with as much charm as Miss LaRue.

But, regardless of whether we one day see her name in lights, I’m pretty sure she’ll go on to do something to amaze us all.

Kenzi, for all the over-the-top theatrics, seems like a genuinely kind, caring person, especially to her close friends and family.

Take a look at any of the many photos snapped of her in action for the Wolves, and she always (and I mean ALWAYS) looks like she is having the time of her life.

So happy birthday, Kenzi, and keep swinging for those stars.

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Zoe Trujillo, demonstrating flawless technique on the volleyball court. (John Fisken photos)

   Zoe Trujillo, demonstrating flawless technique on the volleyball court. (John Fisken photo)

Trujillo (Pat Kelley photo)

   Trujillo embraces relay mate Avalon Renninger after a successful run this spring. (Pat Kelley photo)

There’s a new Trujillo in town and she hasn’t made anyone cry.

Yet…

When Zoe Trujillo enters Coupeville High School as a freshman in the fall, she’ll join older sister Valen, a ferocious competitor most famous for making King’s players run out of the gym wailing during middle school basketball.

Now, let’s be honest here.

Valen, off the court, is extraordinarily sweet and generous, traits Zoe also readily exhibits.

But her on-court drive has carried big sis to a school career record for volleyball digs, as well as the #1 singles slot on the the Wolf tennis squad.

And now little sis is arriving to pick up the mantle, with plans to join Valen in both sports.

While Zoe is looking forward to tennis, it’s volleyball which captures her heart.

“Definitely volleyball – I’ve played it longer and I love the team and the competitiveness,” Trujillo said. “I’d like to continue to improve my skills and hopefully play varsity this upcoming year.”

She credits Valen for being a big part of her support staff, as well as the coaches who have helped to fine-tune her game.

“My sister has helped me a lot,” Trujillo said. “Also, my club volleyball coach, Katelyn Turner, taught me a lot during last season with Whidbey Fury.”

Away from the court, Zoe enjoys playing classical piano and “challenging myself to learn new songs and techniques.”

She also found a new niche in school.

“I loved my wood shop class this year!”

Whether working as an athlete or in her day-to-day life, the busy, talented teen always tries to put forth her best effort.

“I like getting better at my sport and competing with myself,” Trujillo said.

“I think my strengths are that I’m willing to work for my goals and I’m coachable,” she added. “I’d like to work on getting stronger physically and on being more a competitive player.”

Just like her big sister.

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Luci Coleburn

   I asked Luci Coleburn what photo she would like me to use with her story. She picked this one. My new favorite freshman, hands down.

Luci Coleburn is already my new favorite freshman.

She won’t officially walk the hallways at Coupeville High School as a ninth-grader until Sept. 6, but she’s already got this whole interview thing nailed cold.

Ask her what her favorite sport is, and Coleburn’s response?

“If I had to pick a favorite sport it would be binge watching Avatar: The Last Airbender. It takes skill, guys.”

And it goes from there, as Coleburn, reflecting on what she enjoyed as a middle school athlete — she played volleyball and basketball for CMS — firmly claims the title of Queen of the One-Liner.

“The support from the other players, because, even if you mess up, they can’t kick you off the team!”

As she moves up to the high school level, Coleburn is debating whether to stay with basketball, where she brings height to the floor, while having firm plans to pick up a racket in the spring.

“I think I’m set on playing tennis, actually,” she said. “Thanks Jakobi Baumann, your tennis ball to the face has inspired me!”

While she isn’t yet a seasoned pro on the courts, she should fit perfectly in Wolf coach Ken Stange’s tennis world, which always rolls out the welcome mat to the brilliant, the witty and the sardonic.

“I’ve never really played tennis before so I’ll have to figure out what my strengths are there,” Coleburn said. “But as for weaknesses, probably my lack of wanting to do anything. I’m lazy.”

Which keeps her role model hopping a bit. And she knows it.

“My dad. Even though he bosses me around to actually do sports instead of sitting and watching Supernatural all day, I know it’s out of love.”

While Coleburn is busy perfecting the Matthew McConaughey laid-back lifestyle, don’t think for a moment her brain isn’t going 10 million miles a minute.

A writer (her work has appeared here on Coupeville Sports), an artist and a highly-accomplished musician who often played with the high school band while still at CMS, she gets genuinely enthusiastic when the conversation turns to the arts.

“I fully intend to finish Ms. Dunleavy’s dare for me,” Coleburn said. “I’m working on ideas for said novel now, actually.

“I’m really looking forward to crafts and band!,” she added. “I like my art classes, you could say.

“But band is probably the most important one, as I’m actually an official member these coming years!”

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Sydney Autio was one of four captains for this year's CHS net squad. (John Fisken photos)

   Sydney Autio was one of four captains for this year’s CHS net squad. (John Fisken photos)

Bree Daigneault capped her junior season by being named Most Inspirational.

Bree Daigneault capped her junior season by being named Most Inspirational.

Did it really happen if the media wasn’t alerted?

Successfully pulling off a covert awards banquet Wednesday night, the Coupeville High School girls’ tennis team put a final stamp on a very successful season.

Junior Valen Trujillo and sophomores Payton Aparicio and Sage Renninger shared the team MVP award, while sophomore Maggie Crimmins claimed Most Improved and junior Bree Daigneault copped Most Inspirational.

Trujillo and seniors McKenzie Bailey, Jazmine Franklin and Sydney Autio were also honored for their work as team captains.

Varsity letter winners:

Payton Aparicio
Sydney Autio
McKenzie Bailey
Julia Borges
Maggie Crimmins
Bree Daigneault
Jazmine Franklin
Kenzi LaRue
Sage Renninger
Julianne Sem
Kameryn St Onge
Valen Trujillo

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Valen Trujillo won three of four matches Thursday at the district tennis tourney. (John Fisken photo)

   Valen Trujillo won three of four matches Thursday at the district tennis tourney. (John Fisken photo)

Valen Trujillo went down swinging for the stars.

The Coupeville High School junior won three of four matches Thursday at the district tennis tourney in Spanaway, falling just a slot shy of advancing to state.

Trujillo claimed third place in an eight-player field dominated by private school girls who play year-round on indoor tennis courts.

Wolf sophomores Payton Aparicio and Sage Renninger finished fifth on the doubles side of the draw after winning one of three matches.

Coupeville also had three seniors along for the trip — singles ace Sydney Autio and doubles tandem Jazmine Franklin and McKenzie Bailey — but the trio were knocked out after two matches.

Complete results:

Singles:

Valen Trujillo

Beat Sierra Richter (Vashon Island) 6-1, 6-0
Lost to Taryn Mulvihill (Vashon Island) 6-3, 6-1
Beat Sydney Jackson (Klahowya) 6-3, 6-0
Beat Meera Patel (Charles Wright Academy) 6-1, 6-1

Sydney Autio

Lost to Alexis Schorno (Charles Wright Academy) 6-0, 6-0
Lost to Jackson (Klahowya) 6-2, 6-3

Doubles:

Payton Aparicio/Sage Renninger

Beat Jane Cooksley/Grace Jung (Cascade Christian) 7-5, 6-2
Lost to Mei Ge/Laney Schorno (Charles Wright Academy) 6-1, 6-4
Lost to Emmaline Wittwer/Lizzy Maciejewski (Vashon Island) 6-2, 6-4

McKenzie Bailey/Jazmine Franklin

Lost to Maddy Gonzalez/Jenny Seol (Charles Wright Academy) 6-0, 6-0
Lost to Wittwer/Maciejewski (Vashon Island) 6-2, 6-0

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