
Coupeville volleyball coach Raven Vick and boyfriend Phillip Galvan enjoy a moment together. (Photos courtesy Vick)
It was a bittersweet homecoming.
Former Coupeville High School volleyball ace Raven Vick returned to the courts of her youth this fall, joining Cris Matochi in coaching the Wolf middle school spiker squads.
Being active in the same gym where she once played alongside twin sister Willow, helping a new generation of young women embrace a sport she loves, was fulfilling and gave her momentary respite from the real world.
What very few have known during this time is the journey Raven and her boyfriend of a year, Phillip Galvan, have been on.
The couple met while students at Seattle Pacific University, brought together initially by their work as resident advisors.
Raven, who was focusing on Communications and Women’s Studies, was wrapping up her degree.
Meanwhile, Phillip, whose family lives in Colorado, was in his third year of Mechanical Engineering.
The duo became an official couple Nov. 19, 2021, only to have their world upended several months later.
Phillip was diagnosed this past March with acute myeloid leukemia, an especially aggressive form of blood cancer.
Phillip returned to Colorado for treatment, with Raven joining him there after her graduation from SPU in June.
In August, Phillip celebrated his 21st birthday and received a bone marrow transplant from his sister, Allie, which sent him into remission for two months.
Raven returned to Coupeville at the end of the summer, applying for the middle school coaching position as a way to help “clear my head and readjust to life at home.”
She chose to keep her boyfriend’s cancer fight largely private during the season but is publicly acknowledging it now as Phillip has recently relapsed.
“It was caught quickly,” Raven said. “So, we are hoping for this treatment to get him right back into remission.”
With the CMS volleyball season done, she plans to return to Colorado in the next few weeks to spend time with Phillip as he continues his fight.
As they move forward, the duo draw solace from their religious faith, and the emotional support of their many supporters.
Raven’s request is simple and heartfelt.
“We just ask for all of the prayers and good thoughts for him and his family.”