Coupeville Sports

Mia Farris hits the ball so hard, it even makes teammate Lyla Stuurmans gasp sometimes. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

It’s a long trip, so might as well make some history while you’re out in the middle of nowhere.

Enduring a 252-mile round trip to Neah Bay Saturday, the Coupeville High School varsity volleyball squad got its money worth.

Facing off with a spiker powerhouse, the Wolves pulled out a 25-15, 25-17, 19-25, 25-20 victory — always guaranteed to make the trek home a sweeter one.

With the non-conference win, the 2024 squad gets to 12-0, continuing the best start in program history.

The Wolves also earned coach Cory Whitmore his 100th win at CHS.

Now in his ninth season at the school (or 8.5 if we count the pandemic chopping the 2020 campaign in half), the hardwood sage is trying to guide the Wolves to a third trip to state, and second in as many years.

With two matches left in the regular season — a trip to Orcas Island and Senior Night against Sultan — the goal, as always, is having his team play its best as the pressure mounts.

Picking apart Neah Bay, which is at the state tourney year in and year out, is a major positive.

“It was a good trip out to the peninsula and great to come home with a win against a tough team,” Whitmore said.

“Even in the set we dropped, the girls were playing well, looking focused – Neah Bay just found some gaps and we had to regroup.”

Whitmore praised his team’s approach at the service stripe, which carried over to the Wolves being aggressive on offense, with setter Katie Marti flicking pinpoint passes to her big hitters.

“We served tough and consistent, and then attacked really well,” Whitmore said.

“Teagan (Calkins) led the way in kills, with Madison (McMillan) and Lyla (Stuurmans) putting together double-double efforts.

“Mia (Farris) was one kill away from a double-double herself and so the girls made it tough for the Red Devils to figure us out.”

“100 wins. That’s three digits, son.”

As they traveled back from Neah Bay, his players were quick to show Whitmore social media posts about the 100th win.

For his part, the Wolf coach was quick to pass praise on to a wide variety of folks.

“So many people have poured their hearts into this program,” Whitmore said. “I’m so lucky to do it here in this community surrounded by such quality people.

“It is truly so special to get to this milestone with this particular group of amazing kids and their families.

“All the administration and support crew, the assistant coaches over the years, players past and present and just this entire community has made this experience incredible, and I look forward to more years of Coupeville volleyball.”

Saturday stats:

Taylor Brotemarkle — 9 digs, 1 assist
Teagan Calkins — 17 kills, 6 digs, 1 ace
Mia Farris — 9 kills, 18 digs, 3 aces
Jada Heaton — 1 kill, 1 dig, 1 assist
Katie Marti — 1 kill, 6 digs, 42 assists, 1 block assist, 2 aces
Madison McMillan — 10 kills, 14 digs, 1 assist, 3 aces
Lyla Stuurmans — 12 kills, 13 digs, 1 block assist, 1 ace
Tenley Stuurmans — 12 digs, 2 aces