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Posts Tagged ‘district tourney’

Split decision in spiker finale

Posted in Volleyball, tagged , , , , on November 3, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Lucy Tenore and Coupeville volleyball split a pair of matches Wednesday at districts, falling a win shy of a trip to state. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

There’s one roadblock in their way, but it’s a fairly-imposing one.

Since returning to 2B with the 2020-2021 school year, the Coupeville High School volleyball team has gone 17-9 overall, 16-5 in Northwest 2B/1B League play.

But, standing in the way of the Wolves is La Conner, which is 18-0 this season and rolling to a possible third-straight state crown.

After falling to the Braves Wednesday in the District 1/2 tourney championship match, the Wolves are 0-6 against La Conner the past two seasons, 17-3 against the rest of the world.

Those other three defeats came in non-conference bouts against 1A schools, leaving the Braves as the only 2B team Coupeville has lost to since returning to the classification.

Wednesday night’s district tourney, a three-team affair held at La Conner, opened with Coupeville facing off with Auburn Adventist Academy.

The Wolves controlled things from start to finish against the only 2B school from the 1B Sea-Tac League, winning 25-15, 25-20, 25-13.

But, after a short break, Coupeville, which was playing without setter and team captain Maddie Georges, was unable to slow down La Conner’s roll.

The Braves cruised to a 25-6, 25-13, 25-12 victory to earn the lone ticket to the state tourney, which runs Nov. 11-12 at the Yakima Valley SunDome.

Coupeville finishes 11-6, the fifth time in six seasons the Wolves have won 11 or more matches under coach Cory Whitmore.

The only blip on that record came last season, when Covid allowed CHS to play just nine times.

Wednesday’s opening match came against a foe Coupeville had no familiarity with, but the Wolves adjusted quickly.

“It was a fun win against Auburn Adventist,” Whitmore said. “Our serve receive was very consistent and ahead of the ball the entire match.

“This allowed Katie Marti to deliver some really well-delivered sets to our hitters,” he added. “Katie got better every day this season, and, when her chance came, she was ready, and I’m proud of her patient growth.”

Marti, a freshman, stepped in for Georges, who was ill, and held up extremely well at a high-pressure position.

“Katie got the ball really well to our middles (Jill Prince and Olivia Schaffeld), who hit for a high efficiency,” Whitmore said.

“Lyla Stuurmans (on the outside) had a strong performance hitting edges of the ball really well,” he added. “We controlled a lot of free balls sent our way because of our well-placed and tough serving game.”

Lyla Stuurmans was one of four freshmen to play varsity this season.

The nightcap was largely what the Wolves expected, as they came hard on every ball, but had trouble with the overwhelming power at La Conner’s disposal.

“They make you really earn your points, and while our serving was still strong, they have offensive weapons to send it back,” Whitmore said. “Again, our passing was pretty strong and our energy picked up as the match went on.”

La Conner loses six seniors, though the state’s best 2B player, Ellie Marble, still has a season left to wear a Braves uniform.

By contrast, Coupeville can return its entire roster next year, as the Wolves have no seniors and played four freshmen, two sophomores, and six juniors this season.

Half of the starting lineup Wednesday — Stuurmans, Marti, and Savina Wells — are just 9th graders.

“All-in-all, happy for the girls and this season, getting back to being played in the fall,” Whitmore said.

“We look forward to the fact we don’t have one senior, and will make some aggressive moves in the off-season building upon a strong foundation of experience this season.”

 

Wednesday stats:

Alita Blouin — 17 digs, 5 aces
Taygin Jump — 5 digs
Ryanne Knoblich — 6 digs
Katie Marti — 3 kills, 11 digs, 36 assists, 2 aces
Madison McMillan — 1 kill
Jill Prince — 11 kills, 1 dig
Olivia Schaffeld — 7 kills, 5 digs, 2 assists, 1 block assist, 1 ace
Lyla Stuurmans — 7 kills, 9 digs, 1 block assist
Lucy Tenore — 8 kills, 3 digs
Savina Wells — 4 kills, 7 digs, 3 aces

Jill Prince led the Wolves in kills during her junior season.

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Big hits, bigger pics

Posted in Little League, Softball, tagged , , , , on June 26, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Rhododendron Park was the place to be Saturday, if you were hankering for big-time softball action. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The action was booming, inside and outside the baselines.

The Whidbey Island All-Stars juniors softball squad rolled to a pair of big wins Saturday, claiming a District 11 title and clinching a trip to the state tourney.

Trying to keep his cameras from melting in the blazing sun, ever-wandering photo whiz kid John Fisken was on hand to capture action in the opener.

The pics above and below are courtesy him.

To see more, and possibly buy some glossies for grandma, pop over to:

SB 2021-06-26 Jr All-Stars vs S. Skagit – John’s Photos (johnsphotos.net)

 

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Inferno rages hotter than the sun

Posted in Little League, Softball, tagged , , , , on June 26, 2021| Leave a Comment »

The bats were on fire Saturday for the Whidbey Island All-Stars juniors softball team. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

One of 47 runs scored by the Inferno.

Vancouver, here they come.

Delivering a blistering offensive attack under a blazing sun Saturday, the Whidbey Island Inferno All-Stars juniors softball team cruised to a pair of victories, claiming a District 11 title.

Dismantling the Skagit County All-Stars 20-0 and 27-1 at Coupeville’s Rhododendron Park, the Inferno claimed their district’s berth to the state tournament, which begins July 10.

The Whidbey Island All-Stars, who carry a 14-player roster which boasts seven players each from Coupeville and Oak Harbor, proved to be a well-balanced, and extremely-deadly squad.

“Girls were awesome today!,” said Whidbey coach Fred Farris. “Everyone contributed and both (pitching) batteries were awesome! Great defense all the way around.”

How Saturday played out:

 

Game 1:

Playing as the road team, even though it hosted the district tourney, Whidbey Island essentially put the game away with a six-run top of the first.

From there, the Inferno slowly built the lead out to 8-0, then opened a can of whup-ass in the top of the fourth, raining down 12 runs and bringing the mercy rule into effect.

Whidbey opened things up with a five-hit explosion in the first, with three of those base-knocks being of the extra-base variety.

Doubles from Haylee Burleigh and Loto Tupu were big, while Coupeville’s Savina Wells rocked the joint with an RBI triple to center field.

New teammate Layla Suto went her one base better in the second inning, blasting an inside-the-park solo home run, before Wells came around to mash both a double and another triple in the fourth inning.

Madison McMillan added a two-bagger as Whidbey finished with seven extra-base hits among 15 base-knocks in the opener.

While the bats were electric, the Inferno was also lights-out on defense, while Wells offered the visitors little to hit while wheeling and dealing from the pitcher’s circle.

The incoming Coupeville High School freshman whiffed five across four innings of work, scattering five hits and never putting herself in danger.

 

Game 2:

There was no 12-run explosion in the nightcap, just the steady drip-drip-drip of runs splashing across the scoreboard.

Seven Inferno players tapped home in the first, with another five coming across in the second.

Tack on eight in the third and a final seven in the fourth, and the electronic numbers kept hoppin’.

Whidbey whacked six extra-base hits in game two, with McMillan crunching a triple, and Payton Ludemann rifling a pair of doubles.

Taylor Brotemarkle, Wells, and Tupu also collected two-baggers as part of an 18-hit rain of terror.

Ramona Ryder moved in to the circle to pitch the closer, limiting Skagit County to just a single hit, while piling up five K’s.

While offense largely carried the game, defense had its moments as well, with Burleigh and Mia Farris teaming up for an inning-ending double play on a pop-up to second base.

 

District tourney stats:

Taylor Brotemarkle (2 runs, 3 hits, 1 RBI)
Haylee Burleigh (3 runs, 1 hit, 1 RBI, 2 walks)
Teagan Calkins (4 runs, 2 hits, 4 walks)
Mia Farris (6 runs, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 3 walks)
Jada Heaton (1 run)
Payton Ludemann (2 runs, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 walk)
Katie Marti (1 run, 1 walk)
Madison McMillan (6 runs, 3 hits, 5 RBI, 2 walks)
Lilly Norman (1 run, 1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 walk)
Ramona Ryder (3 runs, 3 hits, 2 RBI)
Layla Suto (7 runs, 4 hits, 2 RBI, 3 walks)
Loto Tupu (4 runs, 5 hits, 3 RBI)
Savina Wells (7 runs, 7 hits, 7 RBI)

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Inferno ready to light up diamond

Posted in Little League, Softball, tagged , , , , on June 23, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Savina Wells is one of seven Coupeville girls on the Whidbey Island Inferno All-Stars. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Madison McMillan and Co. are ready to come out swinging. (Jackie Saia photo)

One island, ready to thump on everyone else.

North and Central Whidbey are teaming up for the next round of little league Juniors softball competition.

With seven players from each league, the Whidbey Island Inferno All-Stars are a well-balanced squad, with hopes of making it all the way to the state tourney.

“This is a really solid team with strong pitching, hitting, and depth at each defensive position,” said coach Fred Farris. “It is going to be a lot of fun watching these girls compete this post season.

“Special shout out to North Whidbey manager Shelly Ryder and Central Whidbey coaches Shawn Calkins, Bella Blazek, and Philip Brotemarkle for all their time and efforts for helping get this team ready for the post season.”

The Inferno host a combined South Skagit/Sedro-Woolley/Burlington team in a best-of-three showdown this weekend, with the winner advancing to the big dance.

All games are at Rhododendron Park in Coupeville, with Game 1 at 11 AM Saturday, June 26, and Game 2 at 3 PM the same day. The concession stand will be open.

If a winner-take-all Game 3 is necessary, it will be June 27.

The District 11 champ travels to Vancouver for the state tourney, which kicks off July 10.

 

The Inferno roster:

Taylor Brotemarkle (CW)
Haylee Burleigh (NW)
Teagan Calkins (CW)
Mia Farris (CW)
Jada Heaton (CW)
Payton Ludemann (NW)
Katie Marti (CW)
Madison McMillan (CW)
Adyson Morales (NW)
Lilly Norman (NW)
Ramona Ryder (NW)
Layla Suto (NW)
Loto Tupu (NW)
Savina Wells (CW)

Manager:

Fred Farris (CW)

Coaches:

Kim Brotemarkle (CW)
Tim Norman (NW)

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Halfway to state!!

Posted in Softball, tagged , , , , on May 18, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Welcome to districts, the final step on the way to the state tourney. (Kelly Crownover photos)

Coupeville packed lightly.

Wolf players wait to take the field.

Payback is sweet.

Avenging an early-season loss on the road, the Coupeville High School softball squad opened the West Central District 3 playoffs Friday afternoon with a bang, knocking off Vashon Island 5-3.

The win lifts the Wolves to 12-7 and propels them into the district title game at 6 PM Friday against Bellevue Christian, which shredded Klahowya 11-2.

Coupeville now has two shots to advance to state for the first time since 2014.

Beat BC, which knocked them out of districts last season, and CHS claims its first-ever district title in softball and are Eastern Washington-bound.

If they fall to the Vikings, the Wolves return to action Saturday in Lacey, playing the survivor of Klahowya vs. Vashon for 2nd place and the district’s other berth to state.

Friday’s opener was a reversal of fortune for Coupeville, which dropped its final three regular-season games, all to 2A schools.

After giving up two runs in the top of the first, the Wolves played lights-out from there, controlling every facet of the game.

Coupeville got a run back in the bottom of the first, with Lauren Rose whacking a lead-off single, before coming round to score when Vashon had trouble on a hard chopper by Katrina McGranahan.

By contrast, the Wolves defense was on fire, with junior catcher Sarah Wright having an especially strong game.

She gunned down a pair of Pirate runners on the move, with the first coming to close out the top of the second.

A two-out double gave Vashon a glimmer of hope, but Wright came up throwing heat after pretending she had committed a passed ball.

The throw landed in Chelsea Prescott’s glove, the tag came slapping down and rally squelched before it could really begin.

While the Wolves stranded a runner of their own in the second, squandering a double from Hope Lodell, they broke through in the third.

Rose got things started with a lead-off single, skipped to second, then third, on back-to-back passed balls, and scooted home on an RBI ground-out from Scout Smith.

That knotted the game at 2-2, and then the big bats went to work.

McGranahan lashed a single, Wright launched an RBI double, the first of her twin two-baggers, and Prescott crushed a long sac fly.

Vashon managed to escape, stranding a pair of Wolf runners, but the damage was done at 4-2.

McGranahan was throwing pure smoke from the pitcher’s circle, whiffing eight on the day, and her defense was spot-on.

Rose gobbled up everything that came her way at short, Veronica Crownover was a rock at first and outfielders Emma Mathusek and Lodell chased down anything in the air.

The teams exchanged runs in the fifth, with Prescott delivering her second RBI of her playoff debut after Wright narrowly missed a home run, settling for a double.

Then the Wolf catcher put a final stamp on the game.

Following a questionable lead-off walk in the top of the seventh, Wright came up firing and pegged a laser strike to Crownover to catch the straying Pirate.

The field ump originally called her safe, but after a protest from Coupeville’s bench, the plate ump corrected the call and took the last bit of air out of Vashon’s sails.

Coupeville finished with 10 hits, led by Lodell, who collected a double and a pair of singles.

Wright added two doubles, Rose two singles, and Scout Smith, Mathusek and Katrina McGranahan rounded out the attack with a base-knock apiece.

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