Volleyball | Coupeville Sports

Archive for the ‘Volleyball’ Category

The long and winding road leads Aimee Bishop back to The Rock!!

Posted in Girls Basketball, Track, Volleyball, Where are they now? on December 29, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Two generations of Wolf star athletes, Aimee Bishop (left) and daughter Breeanna Messner.

Mother and daughter in earlier times.

Bishop and sisters Christi Messner (lower left) and Barbi Ford (upper left) and father Paul “Santa” Messner.

Aimee Bishop is proof you can go home again.

A successful three-sport athlete during her days at Coupeville High School, she was anxious to flee small town living when she graduated in 1988. So she spent the next seven years seeing the USA, including a stint working at Walt Disney World in Florida (“I had an amazing time!”), before returning to Coupeville.

Now employed by the Coupeville School District, a constant presence at Wolf sporting events and the proud mom of her own three-sport star, Breeanna Messner, Bishop couldn’t be happier to be back in the place she once longed to flee.

“I love this Island as an adult,” Bishop said. “Funny thing is I could not wait to get off “The Rock” when I was in high school.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy her time at CHS, where she played volleyball and basketball and ran track for the Wolves. But, like a lot of other kids, the outside world loomed large and inviting compared to her hometown.

Now married to Island County Coroner Robert Bishop, she worked as a paralegal before making a full circle back, becoming part of a crack team that now runs sports events in the same venues she once called home as an athlete.

The transition specialist for the Island Juvenile Detention program by day, she can be found at virtually every home Wolf game, often hopping between multiple events in the same day.

If someone is shooting a basketball or flinging a football, she and her cohort in crime (“My wonderful friend Kim Andrews“) are there on the scene, making sure the lights stay on, referees show up and Kole Kellison doesn’t fall off of any rain-slicked press box roofs.

Playing a vital role in keeping CHS athletics humming along offers Bishop two opportunities — one, to relive her own high school sports days a bit, and two, to watch her daughter play out her own memories.

Still a strong athlete who runs religiously, Bishop fondly remembers her time on the hard court.

“My junior year in basketball was my favorite. We had a lot of fun that year,” Bishop said. “It was the last year that Coach (Phyllis) Textor coached basketball.

“My favorite sport was basketball,” she added. “I loved the adrenaline and the fast-paced game.”

It was Textor and a young track coach fairly new to the school who inspired her the most.

“Two coaches that stand out are Coach Textor, who coached me in volleyball and basketball and Coach (Ron) Bagby, who was my track coach,” Bishop said. “I remember Bagby making us run the mile at practice. I would complain because I was a sprinter, NOT a distance runner. Now I run marathons. Go figure.”

Regardless of the sport, the life lessons she picked up have stayed with her throughout life after high school.

“What I love about team sports is you learn to rely on your teammates, you work together and NEVER give up!,” Bishop said. “I love pushing beyond what you thought you could do.”

One of her greatest joys these days comes from watching her daughter, a junior who is a standout volleyball, basketball and softball player. While she tried to play fair and offer Breeanna many options growing up, Bishop always hoped the apple wouldn’t fall far from the tree.

“I have an amazing daughter,” Bishop said. “I always secretly wanted Bree to play sports, but I did put her in ballet, tap, tumbling, horse riding, guitar lessons and drama performances when she was little.

“She enjoyed sports the most. LUCKY ME!,” she added. “I love watching her play. I am a very nervous spectator, though. She is super fun to watch play.”

Read Full Post »

Mrs. Hustle a perfect mix of hard work and joy!!

Posted in Girls Basketball, Volleyball, Where are they now? on November 28, 2012| 1 Comment »

Two generations of Wolf volleyball stars (and family friends) — Sydney Aparicio and Sherry Roberts (right).

Superstar.

Bob Barker and his Wolf hoopsters, including the future Mrs. Roberts (31).

There is no doubt who has the best memory in the Roberts family.

Jon Roberts would be the first to admit that wife Sherry (Bonacci) Roberts remembers their glory days on the athletic fields and courts at Coupeville High School with much more clarity.

It’s a testament to both her sparkling intelligence and to the large box of clippings, programs and school newspapers that she has held on to — a box her husband refers to, light-heartedly, as the Sherry Loves Sherry box.

The box merely backs up her stories, however, with the pictures capturing a bright, vivacious young woman who always seemed to have a smile on her face, even when she was clocking an opponent in the back of the head while fighting for a rebound.

That image — of hard work mixed with joy — perfectly captures a player who lettered all four years in volleyball and basketball before going on to play a bit of volleyball in college.

“I would hope that my teammates and Coupeville fans would remember me as being a dedicated hard-worker while having fun and smiling,” Roberts said. “I also hope to be remembered as being a positive influence and an encourager to my teammates.”

Roberts has remained life-long friends with many of the girls she suited up with, and remembers their high school days fondly.

“I was really lucky to play with some amazing and talented athletic gals! Everyone always seemed to get along and sincerely encourage one another; I don’t ever remember any drama,” Roberts said. “I had the privilege of playing with Marlene Grasser, Tina Barker, Terri Perkins, Sarah Powell, Aimee Messner, Carol Estes, Shannon Sherman, Sally Biskovich, Aleshia McFadyen, Trudy Eaton, Georgie Smith, Jennie Cross, Kara Harvey.

“Marlene was my athletic role model though,” she added. “She was such an amazing and gifted athlete and one of the nicest people ever. She always helped me and encouraged me to strive for excellence and become the best I could be.

“She was the female athlete TWO years in a row … WOW!”

Roberts is being a bit modest, since she herself won the Female Athlete of the Year in 1987-1988, added an MVP award in volleyball, a Miss Hustle award in basketball and the United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award.

Even though she loved basketball (“There is something about that game — the squeak of shoes on the court, the ball in your hands, hearing the net swish…”), she followed the advice of volleyball coach Phyllis Textor and accepted a room/board scholarship to play that sport at Yakima Valley Community College.

“I sat the bench a lot, little playing time each game. It was hard to do that, especially when you were a “star” in little ol’ Coupeville,” Roberts said. “Needless to say, I learned more in one year from my awesome coach, Al Rogers, than I did in four years of high school.

“Amazing experience I wouldn’t ever change.”

Another, earlier coach made a huge impact on her, as well.

“My all-time favorite coach was Mr. Bob Barker. He became the girls basketball coach the beginning of my junior year when Ms. Textor stepped down,” Roberts said. “Mr. Barker was one of those influential people that made a difference in my life. When you were struggling or making errors, Mr. Barker would pull you aside, tell you what was going on, how to change this, and then send you off with positive reinforcement, which I responded to much better than being yelled at.

“I still exchange a Christmas letter with him every year,” she added. “Love, love, LOVED Mr. Barker!”

Her time with Barker produced her favorite athletic achievement, as well. More than 20 years later, she can remember it with perfect clarity.

“My best memory was my senior year — Coupeville Wolves vs. Lopez Lobos, December 1988,” Roberts said. “Back in the day when the games were free, it was cheap entertainment for my whole family. I had my own personal cheering squad which consisted of my dad, mom, brother, sister, grandma, grandpa, uncle, aunt and cousins. They were always in the stands cheering me on.

“This particular game was a painfully slow and LOW scoring game. We were down 30-25 with two minutes left in the game. I made a basket and my teammate Trudy Eaton scored two at the foul line, which brought us to 30-29 Lobos, 1:20 left in the game.

“I rebounded a miss from Jennie Cross and put a shot back up with 16 seconds left in the game. Lobos fouled me so I went to the line, down by one. The gym at this point was PACKED because the boys were playing immediately after us and EVERYONE came to watch the boys.

“At the free throw line I was so stressed with everyone cheering and yelling. Swished the first one which tied us up with the Lobos 30-30. Second shot — nothing but net! I swear the only person I heard in the whole gym was my quiet, reserved Grandpa yelling his head off!!

“We won 31-30 and it was also my career high in points. I scored 15 of the 31 points. It was my glory game! Ha ha ha!”

Having reunited with Jon, who graduated several years ahead of her, the pair were married and produced two athletes of their own in 11-year old Lindsey and five-year old Landon. The star now watches a new generation play and seeing her own kids blossom has been her true favorite moment.

“We hope we have passed our athletic genes on to our kiddos,” Roberts said.”Lindsey, our soccer superstar, has a goal to be on the CHS High School gym wall Hall of Fame with her dad and mom. So cute!

“She is a MUCH better and talented athlete than I ever was, and I LOVE to watch her play even though soccer is so foreign to us,” she added. “Landon is all about baseball and hopefully will carry on his dad’s baseball legend.”

And no worries. Mom will treasure every clipping along the way.

Read Full Post »

(Softball) diamonds are not McKenzie Bailey’s best friend!!

Posted in Girls Basketball, Softball, Volleyball on November 20, 2012| Leave a Comment »

McKenzie Bailey, right, is joined at a CHS football game by big sis McKayla (left) and cousin Chelsea Huff. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

McKenzie Bailey plays two sports, not three, because her older sister tried to kill her.

Well, maybe not really, but it seemed that way at the time. One look at the fury unleashed by McKayla Bailey, now a dynamic sophomore softball hurler for Coupeville High School and McKenzie was off to play volleyball and basketball.

“I don’t play softball because of McKayla. I used to play when I was little and we were on the same team,” Bailey said. “When she was learning to pitch, my dad told me to stand in the batter’s box so she could have a visual. I told him that I didn’t want to because she would hit me. He made me do it anyway and guess what? First pitch, she hit me!

“I ended my career in softball right then and there.”

While Bailey, a freshman, won’t join her big sis on the diamond, it’s about the only place the close twosome don’t spend time together.

“McKayla and I mostly work together and help each other out. We definitely root for each other,” Bailey said. “McKayla is a great motivator for me. She always pushes me to do better and stay strong. I am a stalwart softball fan of hers and go to all of her select and high school games to motivate and cheer her on. It’s a win-win.

“I love watching (and re-watching) movies with my sister,” she added. “We drive my whole family crazy with movie quotes and re-enactments.”

While she picks volleyball as her favorite sport (“I really enjoy the pace of the game and the constant play”), she has come to embrace basketball as she has gotten older. Having reignited her love for the game in middle school (“Sarah Stuurmans was the main influence that got me to continue my basketball career. She is a great coach”), she is excited to make the plunge into high school hoops.

“I decided to give it another shot and found out that I really enjoyed it,” Bailey said. “I think the thing I enjoy the most about basketball is when you make that perfect shot with nothin’ but net, it just feels good!”

She’s played the wing in the past, but has been asked to diversify by her coaches this season and may take on new positions.

Bailey considers her elbow shot to be her primary strength, while wanting to improve her speed and ability to talk to her teammates while on defense. Wherever she plays, she intends to step up and have an immediate impact.

“My goal for basketball this year is to have a winning season,” Bailey said. “We have a lot of strong players this year and I think we can pull together as a team and make it happen.

“My personal goal is to take the open shots and score,” she added.

A big fan of Taylor Swift and her Yearbook class, Bailey is thankful for the many people in her life who have helped shape her into the successful young woman she has become. It’s a list that starts with her sister/mentor and goes from there.

“I have so many positive influences in my life, it’s hard to choose,” Bailey said. “My parents are always there for me and push me to always do my best. I know that they will support me no matter what.

“I have had a couple teachers that have really influenced me as well,” she added. “Ms. (Patsi) Waller taught me to always do my best and never give up and Mr. (Ken) Stange truly believes in his students and is such a great teacher.”

And neither one has ever thrown a softball at her head, which is nice, too.

Read Full Post »

Ellsworth bounces back from injury, storms the court!!

Posted in Cheer, Girls Basketball, Volleyball on November 16, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Rhiannon Ellsworth

Some players you just root for more than others.

Whether it’s because they work harder, have had to overcome more or just exude so much friendliness it’s hard not to, players like Rhiannon Ellsworth garner a lot of support. Which is just the way it should be.

The Coupeville High School senior, a veteran Wolf cheerleader who is trying to rebound from ACL surgery and make an impact on the basketball court this winter, is the comeback kid. As long as she can stay upright, with both legs working, it’ll be easy for Wolf fans to root her on.

Getting back on the court hasn’t been easy. Ellsworth, who has played basketball since elementary school, pulled an ACL in her left knee as a freshman, then tore the one in her right knee as a junior.

“My main goal is to earn my spot. I’ve worked so hard,” Ellsworth said. “The only reason I cried last year when I tore my ACL was because I worked so hard and I knew I was out. Still to this day I get emotional about it.”

Ellsworth, who switches between guard and the post, enjoys the fast-paced flow of the game.

“I enjoy mostly the intensity and speed of the game,” she said. “My strengths, I believe, are my intensity, speed, and love for the game. I’d like to work more on ball handling, though.”

After three years as a Wolf cheerleader, Ellsworth played volleyball her senior season, and the reconstructed knee held up nicely. Ditto for the first few days of hoops practice, which means a lot to her.

“Basketball is definitely my favorite,” Ellsworth said. “I’ve always loved it and I love the most beating people down the court.”

An English lover (“I love to write!”) who spends her off-court moments with friends (“Most of my spare time is spent with my best friend, Kacie Kiel, and, if not, her sister, my other best friend, Katie Kiel“), Ellsworth has begun to think of her time after CHS. She plans to apply to community colleges (Whatcom or Skagit Valley top her list), then attend a nursing program.

No matter where she goes and what she does, she knows her biggest supporter will always be there for her, both in the stands at her games and in life. Steve Ellsworth is the unsung hero in her tale.

“My dad has been the biggest impact on me; it’s been just him and I since I was five,” Ellsworth said. “He’s my biggest supporter, even at my worst.”

Read Full Post »

“Volleyball is just so much fun!!”

Posted in Middle School, Volleyball on November 15, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Kyla Briscoe (bottom left) and some of her 7th grade CMS volleyball teammates. (Hope Lodell photo)

“Ever since I was little I wanted to be like my sister because she is so athletic. I strive to do my best and make my sister proud.”

In a town where multiple members of the same family wear the red and black of Wolf Nation, where brothers and sisters weave a fabric of athletic excellence that spills out over many years, that quote could have come from a lot of people.

This time it came from the lips of Kyla Briscoe, a seventh-grader at Coupeville Middle School and younger sister of 8th grade volleyball spiker Tiffany Briscoe. And while the pair haven’t reached the success level of the Bagby, King or Smith clans, yet, they are hot on the heels of emulating the achievements of other potent sister combos like Kacie and Katie Kiel.

While this past season was Kyla’s first time on the volleyball court, she’s a veteran on the gymnastic mat and is considering adding track to her repertoire now that she’s in middle school.

Like many of her volleyball teammates, her first season on the court was one full of learning and progress.

“I think what was the big highlight for the team was, when we started, we were not so good, but, at our first game, I think we stepped up three notches and played our hardest,” Briscoe said.

She has already begun to find where her strengths are, and the areas she would like to work on before attempting to play for Amy King’s 8th grade squad next season.

“I think I am very strong as a front row player,” Briscoe said. “I would like to work on middle back. My goal for next season is to be a better server than last year; I would like to have more upper arm strength.”

Backed by Tiffany and their parents, Richard and Amy Briscoe (“My parents and sister have made a HUGE impact on my life and they are so supportive of me!”), Kyla is your typical middle schooler (“I like to sleep, eat, be on Facebook…”) who plays sports for that most simple of reasons — she’s having fun.

Whether it’s sports or school, her ever-present smile is never too far off.

“I like volleyball because I get to actually interact with people and it’s just so much fun,” Briscoe said. “My favorite class would have to be P.E. — I love running around and being wild with my friends!”

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »