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Posts Tagged ‘Northwest League’

Gridiron gang rolls to lopsided win

Posted in Football, tagged , , , , on October 15, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville football crunched La Conner for a second time this season, winning 40-0 Friday night. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Back on the field, back in the win column.

A week after cancelling a game due to a lack of healthy players, the Coupeville High School football team travelled to La Conner Friday and blitzed the winless Braves for a second time this season.

Pounding away on the ground, the Wolves ran away with a 40-0 win, keeping alive hopes of sharing the Northwest 2B/1B League title.

Coupeville sits at 2-1 in conference action, 2-3 overall, a half game back of Friday Harbor (2-0, 3-4), and two up on La Conner (0-3, 0-4).

While the Wolves play non-conference foe Cascade (Leavenworth) Oct. 22 during Coupeville’s Homecoming game, La Conner will travel to Friday Harbor that night.

CHS then wraps its regular season Thursday, Oct. 28, when it hosts Friday Harbor in what should be a showdown between teams with league marks of 2-1 and 3-0, respectively.

Win that finale, and Coupeville shares the crown with the Wolverines.

Friday’s clash in La Conner was much like the first time the two schools met in late September, when Coupeville waxed the Braves 51-0 at Mickey Clark Field.

The Wolves moved the ball with ease, scored with ease, and never allowed La Conner to get much of anything going.

Forcing and recovering fumbles on the first two Braves possessions, Coupeville didn’t allow their foes to get a first down until the final minute of the opening quarter.

And that only happened because of a questionable face mask call on the Wolves.

Overall, La Conner spent most of the first half on its own side of the field, rarely generating positive yardage on consecutive plays.

CHS, which also had two first-half interceptions, including a pick-six from Daylon Houston, added to a season in which La Conner, a traditional heavyweight, has yet to score a point in four games.

The Braves are looking at a 175-0 deficit with two games remaining on their schedule.

By contrast, Coupeville’s offense quickly found its groove after a week off, punching in five touchdowns in the first half, with Scott Hilborn and Dominic Coffman each scoring twice on runs.

Jonathan Valenzuela added another run to pay dirt, before Houston, who also walloped four PAT tries through the uprights, picked La Conner’s QB off less than a minute before halftime.

The ball securely in his hands, Houston sliced ‘n diced his way downfield, taking the ball back 70+ yards to cap the first-half scoring.

With a running clock in place after the break, and Coupeville taking its foot off the gas pedal, the Wolves didn’t add to their already-impressive point total in the second half.

Valenzuela did pick off a La Conner pass in the third quarter, however, giving his squad five takeaways in the game.

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Wolves rally to top Loggers

Posted in Volleyball, tagged , , , , on October 14, 2021| Leave a Comment »

With 10 more kills Thursday, Jill Prince moved into first place in that stat category for Coupeville. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

It was two matches in one.

Sets one and four were blowouts Thursday, sets two and three intense battles, but in the end it all went the way the Coupeville High School varsity volleyball squad wanted.

Rallying back strongly after a brief letdown, the Wolves knocked off visiting Darrington 25-16 25-23, 22-25, 25-10 in coach Cory Whitmore’s 90th match at the helm of the program.

The win lifts Coupeville to 8-1 in Northwest 2B/1B League action, 8-3 overall, and keeps it a game back of two-time defending state champ La Conner, which sits at 9-0, 12-0.

The Wolves and the Braves play the second of their two regular-season matches next Tuesday, Oct. 19 in Coupeville.

Thursday’s tango with Darrington, which entered play in fourth-place in the seven-school NWL, started off heavily in favor of the Wolves.

Team captain Maddie Georges ran off four straight points on her serve to open things, and CHS never trailed in the opening set.

Darrington did briefly knot things up at 5-5, but then freshman Lyla Stuurmans used her springy legs to climb to the heavens for a gorgeous tip winner, and sanity was restored.

Olivia Schaffeld, who had a very-strong evening, kept Darrington at bay with some crisp serves, while Stuurmans came back around to smash a winner off a sensational one-handed save by Alita Blouin.

Toss in Jill Prince and Grey Peabody stalking the net, Savina Wells unleashing bolts of lightning while serving, and Blouin crafting an extensive personal highlight reel, and things were poppin’ for the Wolves.

Her one-armed save was a crowd-pleaser, but Blouin’s best shot came when she slid across the floor, flicking a return upwards a moment before the ball skidded away.

Not only did she put the ball back into play, it plopped over the net, then evaded several Darrington players, giving Coupeville an unexpected point.

Ryanne Knoblich closed the first set with an explosive kill which drew a nod of approval from big bro Gavin, and Coupeville was on the move.

But Darrington had grit to spare, and bore down big-time in the next two sets.

The second frame featured 17 ties, the final one at 22-22, with Coupeville rallying from behind in the final moments to pull out the win.

Trailing 20-18, Georges flipped a ball sideways while hovering in the air, surprising the Loggers, who were expecting her to set the ball for one of Coupeville’s big hitters.

Unable to adjust, the Darrington spikers could only watch in silent frustration as the ball dropped in for a winner, sparking the comeback.

Maddie Georges doled out 28 assists on her home floor.

Wells and Schaffeld followed up George’s dynamite play with one of their own, combining to stuff a Logger kill, and it was looking like a straight-sets sweep was on the menu.

Not so fast, however.

Cue a third set which had just eight ties, with CHS seemingly in control, until the end.

Schaffeld and Stuurmans were painting the backline with kills, while Taygin Jump chipped in with a nice run on serve, but Darrington found a bit of a miracle to keep things interesting.

Down 21-17 after Wells let loose with a wicked slicer from the left side, the Loggers suddenly surged, closing the set on an 8-1 run.

While Darrington celebrated, Coupeville got right back down to business.

The Wolves could have deflated or pulled back within themselves after unexpectedly dropping the set.

Instead, they rolled.

Jump went off again at the service stripe, while Prince was everywhere, punishing the ball and the Loggers in equal measure as Coupeville blew out to a 15-5 lead and never slowed down.

The match ended with Schaffeld — who has had a huge impact for the Wolves during her sophomore season — raining down nasty serves, and Prince and Peabody working together for one final big block.

Watching his team bounce back so strongly pleased Coupeville coach Cory Whitmore.

“It was exciting to see us dig out of a couple slumps,” he said. “We responded really well after timeouts and between sets. That was excellent.

“We had a lot of energy and, when we needed it, we were able to build it back up.”

While he praised his entire team, Whitmore gave a special shout-out to Schaffeld and Prince, who have stepped up to become ultra-dependable players.

“Jill is a cerebral player who is really beginning to tap into her physical side, while Liv has always been a physical player who is really paying attention to the details now, settling in to hit her spots.”

 

Thursday stats:

Alita Blouin — 1 kill, 15 digs, 1 assist, 1 ace
Maddie Georges — 1 kill, 9 digs, 28 assists, 4 aces, 1 block assist
Taygin Jump — 2 digs, 4 aces
Ryanne Knoblich — 1 kill, 3 digs
Grey Peabody — 1 assist, 1 block assist
Jill Prince — 10 kills, 1 dig, 2 block assists
Olivia Schaffeld — 10 kills, 4 digs, 4 aces, 2 block assists
Lyla Stuurmans — 4 kills, 15 digs
Savina Wells — 8 kills, 2 digs, 6 aces, 2 block assists

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Wolves howl, Vikings surrender

Posted in Volleyball, tagged , , , , on October 12, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Olivia Schaffeld and Co. are 7-1 in league play. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Right back in stride.

Bouncing back nicely from its first league loss of the season, the Coupeville High School varsity volleyball team pasted host Orcas Island Tuesday night.

Rolling to a 25-18, 25-13, 25-21 win against the Vikings, the Wolves surge to 7-1 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 7-3 overall.

The victory also keeps CHS one game back of two-time defending state champ La Conner (8-0, 10-0), the only league school the Wolf spikers have lost to since returning to the NWL last season.

Coupeville made it 13-0 against conference foes not named La Conner by seizing control from Orcas (5-3, 8-4), which could have moved into a second-place tie with a win.

“It was a very long, but good day for the girls,” said Wolf coach Cory Whitmore.

“With varsity playing first, I was excited to see us settle into our game and control the pace and energy nearly the entire match,” he added. “We played very clean in nearly all facets of the game.”

Coupeville stayed in control thanks to its service game, both when giving and receiving.

Maddie Georges and Savina Wells each pounded out seven service aces, with the Wolves racking up 18 as a team.

“We’ve been focusing on our form and consistent energy and attention to detail throughout matches,” Whitmore said. “And today was a great example of that.”

Savina Wells launches a wicked fireball.

When Orcas put the ball in play, the Wolves jumped on the incoming missiles, blunting the Viking attack.

“Our serve receive was especially strong behind Alita (Blouin), Ryanne (Knoblich), Lyla (Stuurmans), Taygin (Jump), and Savina,” Whitmore said. “And it allowed Maddie to find hitters from all angles.

“Orcas was an improved team, and for the most part made us earn our points and outlast during rallies,” he added.

“I was happy to see the girls’ hard-earned work start to payoff.”

 

Tuesday stats:

Alita Blouin — 1 kill, 12 digs, 1 ace
Maddie Georges — 1 kill, 4 digs, 27 assists, 7 aces
Taygin Jump — 9 digs, 2 aces
Ryanne Knoblich — 2 digs
Grey Peabody — 3 kills
Jill Prince — 4 kill, 1 dig
Olivia Schaffeld — 4 kills
Lyla Stuurmans — 8 kills, 5 digs
Lucy Tenore — 1 ace
Savina Wells — 9 kills, 1 dig, 7 aces

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Fun trek, fun win

Posted in Volleyball, tagged , , , , , on October 12, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Taylor Brotemarkle had nine assists and eight aces Tuesday as Coupeville drilled Orcas Island. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Tuesdays are for experiments.

Or at least it was this time around, as Coupeville High School JV volleyball coach Ashley Menges tinkered with her lineup during a trip to Orcas Island, and still headed back to the ferry with a straight-sets win.

Blasting their hosts 25-13, 25-23, 25-13, the Wolves improve to 7-1 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 8-2 overall, with a home rumble Thursday with Darrington next on the schedule.

Menges played mad scientist a bit Tuesday, and it worked out beautifully.

“It was good!,” she said. “Tonight we messed around with some different positions.

“All of the middles got some playing time in the back row, Taylor (Brotemarkle) got to play a little right side, and Issabel (Johnson) even got to play outside tonight!”

The tinkering was done with a purpose in mind.

“It was a good lesson for the girls to realize that sometimes we might need them to fill different roles at times,” Menges said. “So becoming a well-rounded player is important for their growth.”

It made for an exciting, and fulfilling, day for all involved.

“The girls played well,” Menges said. “We had some dips in focus, which we have been focusing on in practice, but overall it was a good day and a fun trek to the island!”

Tuesday stats:

Taylor Brotemarkle — 9 assists, 8 aces
Mia Farris — 4 kills, 2 digs
Jada Heaton — 1 kill, 4 aces
Issabel Johnson — 2 kills, 2 digs, 1 assist, 6 aces
Katie Marti — 5 kills, 2 assists, 5 aces
Madison McMillan — 1 kill, 1 dig, 1 assist, 3 aces
Grey Peabody — 1 kill, 1 dig, 3 aces
Aby Wood — 1 kill

Katie Marti serves up a winner.

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Big effort, medium payoff

Posted in Girls Soccer, tagged , , , , on October 12, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Amaya Schaffeld and Coupeville opened a three-game homestand with a narrow loss. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

It was there, then it was gone.

Missing two of its top three scorers Tuesday, the Coupeville High School girls soccer team played visiting Friday Harbor virtually even.

But a late goal, coming off of a deflected shot, was a killer as the Wolves fell 2-1 in a game with major playoff implications.

The loss drops Coupeville to 2-4 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 3-5 overall, leaving them two games back of Friday Harbor (4-2, 4-6-1), and well behind league leader Mount Vernon Christian (5-0, 9-1-1).

La Conner (0-5, 0-5), which the Wolves host Thursday, is alone in the cellar.

With only two of four NWL teams making it to the postseason, CHS desperately needed to avenge an earlier loss to Friday Harbor, and almost did.

With Audrianna Shaw and Sophie Martin sidelined, Coupeville was missing players who had accounted for seven of the team’s 12 goals this season.

The Wolves still had one rampaging ace controlling the middle of the field, however, as senior Eryn Wood erupted for her third goal of the season, and sixth over the past three seasons.

Taking a ball from freshman teammate Ayden Wyman, the well-seasoned Wood opened a can of whup-ass on Friday Harbor, drilling a shot from 20-30 yards out.

Leaving her foot with a crack which reverberated across Mickey Clark Field, the ball went high and hard and never stopped moving until it cleared the jumping goalie, slamming into the top of the net.

Coming 12 minutes into the second half, Wood’s score knotted the game at 1-1 and brought the CHS boys soccer team to its feet, their cheers raining down on their female counterpart.

Coupeville, which got solid work in goal from the tandem of Lily Leedy and Maylin Steele, held fast, only to see a slick, but somewhat lucky score break the tie.

The ball deflected off at least two people, ricocheting into the side pocket of the net, with the Wolf netminder blocked off from seeing where the shot was ultimately coming from.

That left the Wolves with a frantic 17 minutes left on the clock to force another tie, and they came hard, but literally fell about three inches too short.

CHS defensive whiz kid Nezi Keiper crashed a long kick into a thicket of players, and Wood punched the incoming ball with a deft flick of her foot.

But it wasn’t to be, as the Friday Harbor netminder made a sensational save while flat on the ground, somehow stopping the roll of the ball right as it teetered over the edge of breaking the goal-line.

Nezi Keiper was a beast on defense, as usual.

Coupeville, which gave up the game’s first score in the 17th minute of the first half, stayed in lock-down mode in the waning moments.

Keiper, Carolyn Lhamon, Mary Milnes, and Katelin McCormick bounced folks around, while Noelle Daigneault lowered her shoulder and drilled a wayward Wolverine or two.

But, on a night that was damp, a bit windy, and fairly chilly, there was no miracle at the end to save the Wolves. Just a hard-fought and tough loss.

Coupeville will try and carry forward the same effort as it plays its final two home games of the season.

La Conner comes to Whidbey Thursday, before Sultan visits Saturday for a non-conference tilt on Senior Night.

The Wolves will honor Milnes, Wood, McCormick, Leedy, Shaw, Martin, and Daigneault, before finishing the season with a pair of road contests.

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