Senior setter Maddie Georges filled up the stat sheet Saturday, pacing Coupeville volleyball to a big win at Forks. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
They went a long way to collect a milestone victory.
Enduring an all-day trek to the wilds of Forks Saturday, then surviving an epic first set, the Coupeville High School varsity volleyball squad earned Cory Whitmore his 70th win as Wolf coach.
By the time they were done, the road-weary Wolves had a 30-28, 18-25, 25-13, 25-14 non-conference victory in hand, lifting their record to 4-2 on the season.
Now on a three-match winning streak, Coupeville gets some rest before travelling to La Conner Thursday, Sept. 29 to face off with the three-time defending 2B state champs.
That showdown is still in the future, though.
For now, Whitmore (70-32 at CHS) and Co. can marinate in the moment, and dream of taking a long nap when they get home.
“If you’re going to go out to Forks, you better leave with a win,” Whitmore said. “Very proud of the girls’ return to practice on Friday that then carried over to Saturday’s match.
“Our focus today was simply on communication and consistency of that communication,” he added. “This was a team win because everyone bought into that concept.”
Coupeville, which was coming off an epic five-set thriller against Orcas Island, where it had to rally from a deep deficit to grab the victory, played strongly in all facets at Forks.
“We served tough throughout; that allowed our defense to be on top of their offense,” Whitmore said.
“But our back row was especially scrappy today, digging up some hard driven balls but also chasing down digs to reset our offense.”
Alita Blouin (in black) and Ryanne Knoblich await the serve. (Bailey Thule photo)
Three players came up with double-digit digs, paced by Alita Blouin going low for 25.
Lyla Stuurmans (12) and Ryanne Knoblich (11) chipped in as well, while Maddie Georges tallied eight, missing a triple-double by just two digs.
The senior setter filled up the stat sheet all day, doling out 26 assists and zinging 11 service aces.
Most of all, Whitmore came away pleased with the way his players talked on the floor, something which was missing at times against Orcas.
“They showed tenacity in each aspect of the team,” he said. “But even more so toward the goal of communicating with each other through the ups and down, and that was fun to watch.”
Saturday stats:
Alita Blouin — 25 digs, 1 assist, 5 aces
Mia Farris — 4 kills, 1 dig
Maddie Georges — 8 digs, 26 assists, 11 aces
Taygin Jump — 2 digs, 1 ace
Ryanne Knoblich — 5 kills, 11 digs, 1 assist, 2 aces
Madison McMillan — 1 dig, 3 aces
Grey Peabody — 10 kills, 1 block assist
Jill Prince — 5 kills
Lyla Stuurmans — 7 kills, 12 digs, 3 aces, 1 block assist
