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Posts Tagged ‘coaching change’

“Once a Viper, always a Viper!”

Posted in Softball, tagged , , , , on July 27, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Grant Van Dyke and his diamond dandy daughters, Sydney (left) and Cami. (Photo courtesy Aaron Lucero)

The ol’ ball coach is taking a break.

After helping guide the Island Vipers travel softball team to a stellar finish Sunday at the summer finale in Kent, Grant Van Dyke is stepping away from his coaching gig.

Van Dyke, who worked with Aaron Lucero to craft a top-tier program, offered up the following farewell:

 

Three and a half years ago, we started the Island Vipers with a simple goal — to give young athletes a place to grow, compete, and make lasting memories.

As I coach my final game, I’m filled with gratitude.

Watching these girls grow into confident young women has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.

A special thank you to my daughters, Sydney and Cameron, for sharing this journey with me.

The wins were meaningful, but it’s the friendships, laughter, road trips, and shared moments I will treasure most.

To the families who stood with us every step of the way – thank you.

Your trust, support, and commitment made this experience what it was.

This chapter is one I will always hold close.

While I’m stepping away from coaching, my heart is full knowing the Island Vipers will continue on, giving future players the same chance to grow, dream, and create their own memories.

I’m also excited to watch where all these Vipers go in life.

A special thank you to Mason and Jodi Strevel, Aaron Lucero, Mark Rummel, Madison McMillan, Scott Maynes, Jim Wheat, Lei Linaberry, and Colleen Van Dyke, along with all the parents, grandparents, and aunties who supported us along the way.

Thank you to every player, family, and coach who made this journey unforgettable.

Once a Viper, always a Viper!

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“I really enjoyed coaching the girls”

Posted in Middle School, Volleyball, tagged , , , , on May 25, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Shaloma Allen (back, far left) helped keep CMS volleyball thriving.

Shaloma Allen stepped up. Now she’s hoping someone else will follow in her path.

The Coupeville Middle School volleyball coach is leaving the program, with her resignation on the agenda for Thursday’s school board meeting.

That she even ended up on the sideline last season was a surprise, she said, but a challenge she gladly accepted to help keep the spikers playing.

“The whole reason I signed on was because we didn’t have a coach last year,” Allen said.

“It was the Thursday before the season started that I offered to coach so my two daughters and the middle school girls could play.

“I have no history with playing or coaching volleyball, so it was a new experience for me.”

Allen learned on the fly and fielded very-competitive teams, helping fuel the continued growth of the Coupeville spiker program.

“I really enjoyed coaching the girls last fall,” she said.

“The 8th grade girls stepped up their leadership and helped me teach the younger ones the skills to get started.

“I had a lot of help from the high school volleyball team and some graduated players from the year before. We were also able to get an experienced assistant coach (Katie Rohrbach) halfway through the season.”

Allen, whose four children are all Wolf athletes across multiple sports, considers herself a bridge between experienced former CMS spiker coaches Cris Matochi and Kristina Hooks and her potential successor.

Though there is a possibility she could return.

“I resigned hoping that someone with more knowledge and vision comes in to keep the program going,” she said. “But I have talked with (Athletic Director) Willie (Smith) about coaching again if no one steps up.

“A part of me is sad to let the position go, but I’m excited to be able to watch my other kids play their sports in the fall too.”

Allen is grateful for what volleyball has given her family, both for her children and herself.

“The volleyball program that (former CHS varsity coach) Cory (Whitmore) put together was a pivotal part of my daughter’s ability to integrate into community when we first moved here in 2022,” she said.

“The sense of belonging through teamwork and practice was amazing for both my girls.

“The middle school girls love volleyball so much. Our community really needs to keep this program going.”

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Wolf JV spiker guru departs

Posted in Volleyball, tagged , , , , on November 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Ashley Menges guides CHS volleyball to yet another win. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Smashley is bound for the Sunshine State.

Coupeville High School is losing its JV volleyball coach, as a family move will send Ashley Menges from Cow Town to Florida.

The former Wolf spiker compiled a 47-18 record across five seasons after being hired in 2020.

Her .723 winning percentage was the best mark posted by any CHS coach during that time, varsity or JV.

A 2019 Coupeville grad, Menges was a two-sport wonder as a youngster, playing volleyball and riding horses in competition.

At the high school level, she was a team captain, helping CHS win back-to-back league titles, compile three straight 10+ win seasons, and qualify for the state tourney in 2017.

Menges enjoys her Senior Night festivities along with running mate Emma Smith.

After graduation, she was inducted into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, something she acknowledged with one slightly arched eyebrow.

When she returned to the sideline at her alma mater, Menges was an immediate hit.

As a coach, she fielded winning teams in four of five seasons, but more importantly, prepared players to be successful at the next level.

Menges also worked closely with varsity coach Cory Whitmore, operating as his top assistant during a time of great success for the #1 squad.

Her final moments were spent helping her mentor guide the Wolves to a 4th place finish at the 2B state tourney this week — the first time a CHS volleyball squad earned a state meet trophy.

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Lucero tabbed to lead CHS softball

Posted in Softball, tagged , , , , on October 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Aaron Lucero is your new CHS head softball coach. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The new leader is a familiar face.

Coupeville High School assistant softball coach Aaron Lucero is moving up to claim the top spot with the Wolf diamond program.

He replaces Kevin McGranahan, who stepped down after a nine-year run when he and wife Justine moved off-Island earlier this year.

Lucero’s hire was announced Thursday by CHS Athletic Director Brad Sherman and will be official once approved by the school board.

Lucero chats with Chelsi Stevens during a game last spring.

Since he and wife Jess moved their five children to Coupeville from the sports hot bed of St. Louis, Aaron Lucero has been a key member of the local coaching community.

He worked alongside McGranahan with the Wolf softball program, while also helping lead very-successful Central Whidbey Little League diamond squads.

The owner/financial advisor at Terra Firma Wealth Management, Lucero has also worked extensively with the Coupeville Booster Club and the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools.

He will be stepping into a prime position, with the CHS softball squad capable of returning every player from last year’s team, including daughter Ava, from a team which went 14-5.

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Wolf football coach departs

Posted in Football, tagged , , , , , on April 1, 2022| Leave a Comment »

After four seasons at 2B Coupeville High School, head football coach Marcus Carr is jumping to 4A Inglemoor. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Coupeville High School is in the market for a new head football coach.

After four seasons at the helm of the Wolf gridiron program, Marcus Carr confirmed Friday he has accepted a similar position with Inglemoor High School in Kenmore.

Carr replaces Steve Hannan, who went 12-27 at the 4A school across the past five seasons.

Inglemoor is a member of KingCo, a 24-team “super league” which features 2A, 3A, and 4A schools.

Carr’s first game as Vikings head coach is set for Sept. 2, with Juanita the opponent.

He makes the jump to 4A football after spending two seasons at 2B Concrete, where he went 13-6 and won a Northwest 2B/1B League title, then four shepherding Coupeville through unsettled times.

When Carr was hired, he was the program’s fifth head coach in a nine-year span.

During his time stalking the sidelines at Coupeville’s Mickey Clark Field, he went 14-17, helped the Wolves transition from 1A to 2B, endured a worldwide pandemic, and guided Coupeville to back-to-back winning seasons in 2019 and 2020.

Carr began his four-year run at CHS with a 28-18 win over Port Townsend and ended it with a 28-13 victory over Evergreen of Seattle.

Playing an independent schedule ahead of the move back to 2B, CHS went 5-4 in 2019, the first winning season for Coupeville football since 2005.

The Wolves followed that up with a 3-2 mark during a pandemic-altered 2020 campaign.

KingCo, here he comes.

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