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Coupeville and Oak Harbor players unite to form Whidbey Volleyball Club’s first boys’ team.

Interest in volleyball is booming year-round.

Nine Coupeville High School spikers are currently playing for the Whidbey Volleyball Club, while sisters Lyla and Tenley Stuurmans suit up for a club team in Mount Vernon.

Now you can add four Wolf boys to the list, with Tate Wyman, Reiley Araceley, Grant Steller, and Mason Butler picking up the sport.

The quartet, who all played on the CHS soccer team in the fall, are part of the first boys team put together by the Whidbey Volleyball Club.

The U18 squad, coached by Vince Quidachey, has a seven-tournament schedule which runs from Jan. through May.

Wyman is listed as a middle blocker, while Steller is an outside hitter, Butler a setter, and Aracely toils as a libero.

Wolf junior Logan Downes is a single point shy of averaging 25 a night through 13 games. (Bailey Thule photo)

The nets continue to pop.

Another week of games is in the books, and Coupeville High School basketball players are keeping scorekeepers busy.

The Wolves are up to 1,798 points across the 2022-2023 season with three players — Logan Downes, Alex Murdy, and Alita Blouin — having topped double figures.

There’s still plenty of games left, and plenty of points to add to the total, but let’s take a quick break to marinate in what’s already happened.

Season scoring stats:

 

Girls Varsity
(11 games):

Alita Blouin – 107
Maddie Georges – 63
Ryanne Knoblich – 53
Lyla Stuurmans – 48
Gwen Gustafson – 42
Katie Marti – 30
Carolyn Lhamon – 21
Mia Farris – 12
Jada Heaton – 2
Madison McMillan – 2

 

Girls JV
(9 games):

Madison McMillan – 77
Kierra Thayer – 47
Jada Heaton – 25
Desi Ramirez-Vasquez – 25
Carlota Marcos-Cabrillo – 24
Reese Wilkinson – 19
Teagan Calkins – 17
Liza Zustiak – 10
Kayla Arnold – 9
Bryley Gilbert – 8
Brynn Parker – 4
Skylar Parker – 3
Kassidy Upchurch – 2

 

Boys Varsity
(13 games):

Logan Downes – 324
Alex Murdy – 127
Nick Guay – 80
Cole White – 74
Jonathan Valenzuela – 52
Ryan Blouin – 43
Dominic Coffman – 35
Chase Anderson – 21
Jermiah Copeland – 5
Mikey Robinett – 4
William Davidson – 3
Zane Oldenstadt – 2
Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim – 2

 

Boys JV
(8 games):

Hunter Bronec – 65
Chase Anderson – 63
Aiden O’Neill – 60
Jack Porter – 42
Camden Glover – 38
Johnny Porter – 34
Hurlee Bronec – 28
Landon Roberts – 17
Malachi Somes – 17
Mikey Robinett – 6
Carson Field – 4
Yohannon Sandles – 2

Wolf ace Kayla Arnold works her way to the hoop. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Fear no opponent.

Facing off with 3A Mount Vernon Friday in Oak Harbor, the Coupeville High School JV girls’ basketball squad came within a three-ball of sending the game to overtime.

While the Wolves fell 28-25, Kassie O’Neil’s squad proved they can be competitive with just about anyone.

And they did so without two key players, as Madison McMillan and Jada Heaton remained in Coupeville with the Wolf varsity.

Friday’s fractured schedule was made possible by Darrington not having a JV girls’ team.

So, while Coupeville’s varsity played in front of its home fans, the Wolf JV struck out on their own.

Traipsing 10 miles up the Island, they squared off with Mount Vernon’s C-Team, while the big school’s varsity and JV played host Oak Harbor.

The Wolves, now 4-5 after the non-conference loss, also pick up a second game with the Bulldogs.

The teams square off again Jan. 26, this time in Mount Vernon.

Coupeville’s JV rejoins its varsity counterparts this week, travelling to La Conner Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Mount Vernon Christian two days later.

 

To see more photos from this game, pop over to:

https://www.johnsphotos.net/Sports/Coupeville-Basketball-2022-2023/GBB-2023-01-13-JV-vs-Mt-Vernon/

Reese Wilkinson lets fly.

Phoenix Da Costa-Ford (left) and Erin Straub keep an eye on things.

Teagan Calkins dances the dance of her people.

The Whidbey Volleyball Club U18 team features nine Coupeville spikers, eight of whom are seen here. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Marzocca)

They’ll rest later.

Eight Coupeville girls spent Sunday and Monday taking part in the NW Juniors MLK Weekend Tournament at Shoreline College.

Three of those Wolves — Mia Farris, Jada Heaton, and Katie Marti — travelled to Neah Bay Saturday for a high school basketball game, then turned around and shot off to join their fellow spikers.

Topping things off, the trio played in four matches, then returned to Whidbey Island Monday in time to make it to basketball practice.

After their departure, the remaining eight members of the Whidbey Volleyball Club U18 squad played a final match, with the team finishing 3rd at the eight-team tourney.

The local spikers won two of three matches Sunday, and split their bouts Monday, playing 11 sets across five action-packed matches.

“There were some great sets, super exciting,” said mom Jennifer Marzocca.

Along with Marti, Farris, and Heaton, the U18 squad includes Coupeville’s Lucy Tenore, Grey Peabody, Taylor Brotemarkle, Chloe Marzocca, and Taygin Jump.

Wolf sophomore Madison McMillan is also on the team but was unable to make it to this event.

Rounding out the roster are four other players, led by Clara Juriaans of South Whidbey.

Oak Harbor is represented by Keira Newkirk, Alexia Sanchez, and Johanna Daggett.

Carolyn Lhamon looks for a little help. (Helen Strelow photo)

It’s not totally a make-or-break week, but it’s close.

There’s still plenty of games left to play, but the days ahead are important to both Coupeville High School varsity basketball teams as they try and make a statement in conference play.

First up is a trip to La Conner Wednesday, followed by a second bus journey Friday to Mount Vernon Christian.

For the Wolves, that pits them against the current top two teams in the Northwest 2B/1B League standings.

While both contests are important, the La Conner matchups have an extra layer of intrigue, as Coupeville’s playoff seeding is driven by how they perform against the other two 2B schools — Friday Harbor and La Conner.

Two of three 2B teams advance to the bi-district tourney, where the boys will be joined by Auburn Adventist Academy and Northwest Christian from District 2.

The girl’s postseason rumble is a three-team event, with Auburn Adventist rounding out the field, with both tourneys hosted by Coupeville — whether the Wolves are playing or not.

There are two tickets to state for District 1/2 boys’ teams this season, and one for the girls.

As we look ahead to rivalry week, and beyond, where everyone currently sits in the standings:

 

Northwest League boys basketball:

School League Overall
MV Christian 3-0 10-5
La Conner 1-0 6-6
Orcas Island 2-1 10-6
Coupeville 1-1 8-5
Concrete 1-3 3-9
Friday Harbor 0-1 1-9
Darrington 0-2 3-8

 

Northwest League girls basketball:

School League Overall
MV Christian 3-0 13-2
La Conner 1-0 9-3
Orcas Island 2-1 4-8
Coupeville 1-1 5-6
Darrington 1-1 7-3
Friday Harbor 0-1 1-7
Concrete 0-4 1-10