Adeline Maynes triggers the offense. (Jackie Saia photo)
They’re learning under fire.
The Coupeville High School varsity volleyball squad has a huge target on its back, coming off an undefeated run to a Northwest 2B/1B League title, and eventual 18-2 finish and 4th place trophy at state.
But thanks to graduation, these Wolves are also largely not the same Wolves that achieved those feats last year.
Instead, Scout Smith’s current squad is a young team with great promise, but one where most of its main players are making their varsity debuts.
And they’re getting there, while absorbing some losses along the way.
Tuesday, the Wolves picked up more hard-earned knowledge, falling in four sets at Mount Vernon Christian, in a match they controlled early, but couldn’t dominate all night.
The 16-25, 25-15, 25-15, 25-17 loss drops Coupeville to 1-6 in league play, 3-7-1 overall, heading into a Thursday night home rumble with La Conner.
That night the Wolves will also hold their annual Dig Pink event, honoring the fight against breast cancer.
While CHS fell at MVC, Smith embraced the positives.
“Really loved the leadership demonstrated by our sophomore setter, Tenley (Stuurmans),” she said. “Throughout all four sets she was doing her utmost to keep her teammates in the game and locked in and positive.
“Sydney (Van Dyke) (also) did a great job stepping up when her number was called.
“Overall, we learn and look forward to La Conner.”
Tuesday stats:
Haylee Armstrong — 6 kills, 8 digs, 4 aces
Teagan Calkins — 10 kills, 6 digs, 1 assist, 3 aces
Ari Cunningham — 2 digs, 1 assist, 1 solo block, 1 block assist
Lexis Drake — 2 kills, 1 dig
Adeline Maynes — 2 digs, 2 aces
Dakota Strong — 3 kills, 1 dig, 1 assist
Tenley Stuurmans — 1 kill, 6 digs, 18 assists, 1 solo block, 1 block assist, 2 aces
Sydney Van Dyke — 1 dig
JV nipped:
Coupeville’s high-flying second unit, which has the best record of any fall sports team at the school, suffered a rare loss, falling 26-24, 25-16, 3-15.
The defeat dips the Wolves to 4-2 in league play, 6-3 overall and gives the Hurricanes a bit of revenge after CHS won the first meeting between the two JV squads.
Tuesday stats:
Willow Leedy-Bonifas — 6 digs, 1 assist, 3 aces
Olivia Martin — 1 ace
Isa Mc Fetridge — 2 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace
Kennedy O’Neill — 2 kills, 2 digs
Cassandra Powers — 2 kills, 1 dig, 3 aces
Chelsi Stevens — 1 kill, 1 dig, 3 aces
Sydney Van Dyke — 4 kills, 1 dig, 2 assists, 6 aces
Coupeville Sports 