Maddie Georges, a Second-Team All-Conference pick as a sophomore, is back to spark the CHS volleyball offense. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
Ryanne Knoblich is part of a pack of very-talented Wolf juniors.
The chase continues.
Battling through the pandemic, the Coupeville High School volleyball squad delivered a very strong effort in a place-out-of-time season which wrapped just a couple of months ago.
Covid bumped what was supposed to be the fall 2020 season out to April and May, 2021, with the Wolves making their return to the Northwest 2B/1B League.
Even with masks and matches often bumped around the schedule at the last second, Coupeville finished 6-3 in the shortened season, placing second among six teams.
All three losses came to two-time defending state champ La Conner, as the Wolves otherwise went undefeated.
Now, with fall sports back in their normal time frame, CHS is set to chase the Braves one more time, while also getting a full schedule including non-conference matchups with rivals like South Whidbey.
Wolf coach Cory Whitmore, carrying a 55-24 record as he heads into season #6 at the helm, has a team which is simultaneously talented and still fairly young.
After losing the four-pack of Kylie Chernikoff, Jaimee Masters, Maddie Vondrak, and Chelsea Prescott to graduation, the program won’t have a senior on the floor this time around.
Abby Mulholland would have been that lone 12th grader, but is injured and will miss the season.
Instead, Coupeville will rely on a very-deep group of juniors headed up by setter Maddie Georges, who was a Second-Team All-Conference pick last season.
“We have a core group of returning players with a season of experience behind them, already doing a great job to lead the team toward our goals,” Whitmore said.
“Alita Blouin has really settled in as the libero, taking control in the back row passing and defensive game,” he added. “Jill Prince had a phenomenal offseason, improving her speed and consistency as middle blocker.”
Blouin and Prince have already been noticed by rival coaches, with the duo both earning Honorable Mention when NWL awards were handed out in May.
Whitmore also praised two other stars on the rise.
“Lucy Tenore returns with varsity experience as well and is likely to see playing time at the right side attacking and blocking position,” he said.
“Ryanne Knoblich also brings varsity experience from last season and had a great offseason,” Whitmore added. “She is a versatile player that can really help where help is needed – front row or back row.”
While the loss of the four seniors — which include First-Team All-Conference players in Chernikoff and Prescott — hurts, there’s a solid youth movement afoot to ease the pain.
Coupeville has eight freshman in the program, with Lyla Stuurmans and Savina Wells already pegged to “likely play a critical role at the varsity level,” while “learning the game at a very accelerated pace.”
“I’m very excited about the advanced skill set and starting place our freshman enter the high school program with,” Whitmore said.
“(Middle School coach) Cris Matochi did a great job in preparing them throughout their modified season last year and together they worked hard to get ready for high school ball.”
Sophomore Olivia Schaffeld is also expected to contribute at the middle blocking role.
One of the top goals for Whitmore and JV coach Ashley Menges will be to “blend our entire two teams as one strong cohesive unit.”
“This group of young women are likely to play with each other for a while yet,” Whitmore said.
“Team bonding and building will be a big focus, as will working to blend our experienced players with our newcomers and move forward to peaking as we enter district play.
“We will need to make our defense disciplined and consistent and push our offensive attack to be terminal.”
The schedule includes 15 matches, and several in-season tournaments, giving the Wolves plenty of time to work on things.
“An early area we will particularly spend time on is improving our passing consistency,” Whitmore said. “From the passing consistency to setting consistency, our attacking efficiency and firepower can pick up in suit.
“We will work on our serving game as well, making sure the quality and location of our serves are tight,” he added.
“I hope to also improve our blocking game this season – it will add a strength to our defense that will take the pressure off the back row as well.”
While the Wolves are relatively young, they are a smart, very-competitive bunch of spikers, something their coach is thrilled to see.
“I believe our team’s strength will include a number of things, starting with their ability to learn and implement new information,” Whitmore said.
“In the short time we have already been a team, we have been able to work on some advanced concepts and skills, and then move forward at an accelerated pace.
“This group also has a competitive streak in them that impressed me. It doesn’t take much to motivate them as soon as it’s turned into a competition and it has already been fun to watch.”
There’s little doubt La Conner is the team to beat, not just in the league, but in all of 2B, and the Braves return four All-Conference players, including MVP Ellie Marble.
But that doesn’t mean Coupeville can coast against other teams.
“We will have to treat each opponent with respect and prepare to play our best every night,” Whitmore said.
“La Conner will undoubtedly put together a strong team and come ready. Orcas Island will return many of their players from last year, as will Darrington,” he added.
“It will be our first time playing Friday Harbor in a while, and so we will need to be ready to adapt to anything.”
As always, the Coupeville volleyball guru preaches focusing internally, and not externally.
“Taking things night-by-night, step-by-step will be a focus of ours as we gain experience through non-league play and come prepared to perform our best each night of league play.”
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