Sisters Reagan Green (left) and Josilyn McColl are a talented duo on the court. (Erica McColl photo)
They ended their season on a high note.
Putting a wrap on the middle school volleyball campaign Monday, Coupeville went to Langley and won two of three matches against their next-door neighbors.
After an eight-match run, and numerous practices, Wolf coaches Elizabeth Mallett, Mandi Black, and Audrey Meek came away pleased with their first season at the helm of the CMS spiker program.
“This season has been so fun coaching this group of girls,” Black said.
“They are all very coachable and respectful. My hope is they all return and continue their volleyball journey!”
How the finale played out:
Level 1:
Coupeville’s high-flying varsity thunked South Whidbey to earn a season sweep from the Cougars and finish the season 6-2.
“All the girls played fantastic,” Elizabeth Mallett said.
“Arley (Bosler) had several good digs, Halle (Black) killed it at the net, Reina (Rivers) had several aces, Faith (Rivers) set her hitters up nicely, and Brinn (Meek) played libero, getting several good digs.”
Everybody contributed, with Jasmine Allen and Milly Somes providing key plays, while sisters Reagan Green and Josilyn McColl made their final moments playing together as middle school spikers memorable.
The wham-bam siblings both “played aggressively at the net” and delivered several unhittable service aces.
“I’m so proud of the way the team played this season,” Mallett said. “They didn’t start every game ahead, but they managed to come back several times.
“They worked hard during practice and demonstrated their hard work during games.”
Level 2:
The middle match was a royal rumble, with South Whidbey escaping with a 29-27 win in an extended first set, before Coupeville roared back to claim sets two and three to earn its second-straight victory.
The Wolves came back from a seven-point deficit in the opening frame, then dominated play after that.
Coupeville’s young guns, who have fine-tuned their service games as the season has gone on, came up big in the spotlight.
Evelyn Merino Martinez notched her first successful serve over the net, netting an ace, with Scotlyn Helm getting into a groove at the line while using an overhand serve.
CMS coach Mandi Black noted that Evelyn McDonald, who swung up from Team 3 for a set, “demonstrated great leadership and significant improvement,” while Kolby Johnson and Mia Goers “really stepped into their roles of captains this season, and I am so proud of them for continuing to push and keep their heads up even when things get rough and having the whole team leaning on them.”
It was a season full of players taking that next step, or two or three strides.
“The girls showed grit, resilience, and improvement throughout the season,” Black said.
“One of the biggest takeaways from tonight was their ability to regroup after a tough first set loss and come back strong to win the next two sets.
“Their mental toughness, teamwork, and determination have been a major focus all season, and it was great to see that growth come through in their final game!”
Level 3:
“They took a little bit to warm up but once they got going, they gave South Whidbey a run for their money,” said Wolf coach Audrey Meek.
Evelynn McDonald, who pulled double duty “brought the fire with her serves,” while Lily Jacobson earned praise for “truly owning the libero position.”
Zora Worthington was tapped as the team captain for the finale and filled the position admirably, rallying her team in the late going.
Meek also handed out praise to Selina Milburn and Annabelle Wold for “stepping up and having great passes that really helped the team get the ball back,” as well as Lindsey Ashby and River Castellanos for “keeping the positivity going and sending several serves across the court and getting down for some great digs.
“Incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication this season,” Meek said.
