Ashley Menges doled out 12 assists Tuesday as Coupeville stayed unbeaten in league play. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
The hunt for back-to-back league titles rolls on.
The Coupeville High School volleyball squad weathered a tough challenge on the road Tuesday, drilling host Klahowya in straight sets to stay undefeated in Olympic League play.
Escaping Silverdale with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-22 win, the Wolves improved to 5-0 in conference action, 8-2 overall.
That puts them a game-and-half up on the Eagles (4-2) in the league standings, while Port Townsend (1-4) and Chimacum (1-5) are hanging out in the cellar.
Coupeville hasn’t dropped a set in league play this year, cruising to a pristine 15-0 mark, while winning 80% of their sets overall at 24-6.
After finishing 8-1 in league play last season, the Wolves are 13-1 in conference matches since Cory Whitmore became coach.
His winning percentage of .929 in Olympic League rumbles is third-best among CHS varsity coaches, trailing just girls basketball guru David King (27-0) and girls tennis shaman Ken Stange (15-0).
Tuesday night, Whitmore’s spikers fought off the Eagles with a strong hitting attack.
“We took steps forward today, working to improve our hitting percentage, having all our hitters in positive numbers,” Whitmore said. “Very happy to see that.”
Klahowya came closer than it did the first time the two teams met this season, and, with a third match looming in Coupeville Oct. 25, the Wolves don’t want to let down their guard.
“We didn’t particularly adjust defensively to their attacks and they were a much improved Eagle team,” Whitmore said. “We will have to learn from this when watching film.”
High-flying, ball-crunching force of nature Mikayla Elfrank led the Wolf attack, tattooing the ball for a match-high 10 kills.
She received strong support from her teammates, with Katrina McGranahan pounding home seven put-aways and Payton Aparicio and Scout Smith recording five apiece.
Lauren Rose (21 assists) and Ashley Menges (12) spent the night setting up their hard-hitting teammates, while Hope Lodell (14 digs) and Aparicio (13) went low again and again to keep plays alive.
At the service stripe, McGranahan led the way with four aces. Aparicio added three and Maya Toomey-Stout racked up a pair.
Coupeville returns to action Thursday with a home affair against Port Townsend (JV 4:30/varsity 5:45).
That match will be a Dig Pink Night, with the Wolves raising money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
JV romps:
Coupeville’s young guns rolled to a straight-sets victory of their own Tuesday, winning 25-13, 25-20 in a match shortened by the need to catch a ferry.
Now 8-1 overall, 5-0 in Olympic League play, the JV spikers are meshing well under the direction of first-year head coach Chris Smith.
“We were very happy with the play,” he said. “The team demonstrated good ball control, composure and great communication.
“This team continues to develop in their ability to play together, improving their individual skills and cohesiveness as a unit,” Smith added. “It’s a lot of fun to watch!”
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