Coupeville High School spikers and coaches head off for a day of volleyball. (Cory Whitmore photo)
“We got better today – simple as that.”
Coming off of an opening night win, the Coupeville High School volleyball squad got valuable floor time Saturday where they could focus more on development than wins and losses.
Competing in the six-team South Whidbey Invite, the Wolves still did pretty darn well record-wise, winning four of six matches in pool play.
But for Wolf coach Cory Whitmore, development, especially for his younger players, trumped all on this day.
“We faced and overcame some challenges that will translate to valuable experience for league and playoff matches,” he said.
With key varsity players Ashley Menges and Ally Roberts absent (they’re competing in horse events at the state fair), freshman Scout Smith got the call-up to the big leagues.
And Scoutosaurus Rex responded in appropriate fashion.
“I’m excited that we got Scout A LOT of varsity playing time as the other setter,” Whitmore said. “She took half of the sets today and really stepped up and rose to the speed and physicality that varsity requires.
“I was impressed with her serving (again) but more so with the ease in which she took to running the offense with older teammates,” he added. “She looked comfortable out there and that’s not to be taken lightly.”
The Wolves (1-0) return to regular match play with back-to-back home bouts this coming week.
Chimacum is up first, coming to Whidbey Tuesday (5:00 JV/6:15 varsity) for the 1A Olympic League opener, followed by 2A Sequim Wednesday (4:15/5:30) for a non-conference match.
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