They came, they saw, they won. (Brooke Crowder photos)
It was a super busy week.
With the end of the middle school volleyball season roaring up on them, Coupeville played three times across the last four days, with all of their rumbles on the road.
Thursday, a day after traveling to the wilds of Sultan, the Wolves were right back at it with a trek to the even wilder Granite Falls.
How things went down:
Level 1:
Capturing their second win of the season, the Wolves had their “best match up to date,” according to coach Cris Matochi.
“We had an amazing day,” he said. “The girls were so solid.
“We did everything well yesterday, and I am so happy to see how they are progressing over the last two weeks. As I said before, this is a very special group, and I am so proud of them.”
CMS headed back to the bus with a 25-18, 25-19, 13-15 win, one fueled by smooth team-wide play.
“We were passing so well, and the setters were doing a fantastic job with setting the hitters,” Matochi said.
“We got a few solid swings, and it was so cool to see that.”
“Granite Falls was a solid team, and the girls were not intimidated. They were in control of the match, and you tell that from watching them at any time during the game.”
Rhylee Inman elevates.
Rhylee Inman paced Coupeville with five kills and five digs, while Zariyah Allen (10 digs), Cassie Powers (three kills), Cameron Van Dyke (three kills, three digs), Olivia Martin (one kill), and Laurel Crowder (one ace) provided key support.
Coupeville was on fire at the service line with multiple players ripping off aces.
Emma Leavitt and Kennedy O’Neill topped the squad, with five and three perfect serves respectively.
Kennedy O’Neill fires off a serve.
“We committed only a few unforced errors, and the girls have really been so good about focusing on their forms and mental game,” Matochi said.
With the season set to come to a close at home against South Whidbey Monday, Oct. 21, the Wolf coaches are beginning to accept that the whirlwind is about to end.
“I am sad that we only have one game left,” Matochi said.
“I wish I had a little more time with these players, as things are finally clicking for them.
“We have a lot of talented players in this group, and their love for this sport is so beautiful to watch.”
Level 2:
Coupeville’s net crew put up a strong battle in a 25-12, 25-15, 16-14 loss.
“Though we may not have won I was really proud of how well the girls played today,” said Wolf coach Kristina Hooks.
“Granite Falls had some really strong overhand servers; these were probably some of the toughest serves the team has received this season, but they handled it well.
“They had a lot of great passes on serve receive as well as some great rallies during the game.”
Level 3:
The Wolves pushed Granite to the edge in a narrow 25-15, 25-23, 8-15 loss.
“We had a lot of strong servers during our sets which I was really proud to see with a handful of aces from some players,” Hooks said.
Coupeville Sports 