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Posts Tagged ‘Sydney Van Dyke’

“Run … if you dare!!” (Jackie Saia photo)

Sweet diamond history was made Monday afternoon.

Playing with precision both at the plate and in the field, the Coupeville High School softball squad demolished host Orcas Island 11-0 in a game mercy-ruled after five innings.

And, while the Wolves still have 20% of the regular season left to play, Monday’s victory means they’ve already achieved two major goals.

Now 9-0 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 15-1 overall — which ties them for the most wins by a 2B school — the Smash Sisters clinched the latest in a string of league titles, while also punching their ticket to the state tourney.

First up is the league finale Wednesday, a rematch with Orcas on the Coupeville prairie, with catcher Teagan Calkins hailed on Senior Night.

Then, non-conference road rumbles with Klahowya, South Whidbey, and East Jefferson.

After that the Wolves head to districts May 14 at the Skagit Valley Playfields, a three-team tango where they’ll be the #1 seed and play the survivor of an opening game for the tourney title.

Since District 1 gets two tickets to state this season, Coupeville is therefore guaranteed a return trip to the big dance, win or lose.

It’s the fifth time a Wolf softball squad has qualified for state, and the first time CHS has accomplished the feat in back-to-back seasons, having split four games at the season-ending championships last year.

Zariyah Allen loves to hit lasers. (Jackie Saia photo)

While some of the pathway has been cleared, don’t expect Aaron Lucero’s diamond dazzlers to back off between now and state, however.

The Wolves, a young team which starts more 8th graders than seniors (2-1), handles its business like a well-oiled machine.

That was evident again Monday, as CHS completely shut the Orcas offense down.

Adeline Maynes started in the pitcher’s circle and retired 12 of the 13 hitters she faced, seven via strikeouts, before Haylee Armstrong came on to fling heat in the fifth, picking up one more K for herself.

When the Vikings did make contact with the ball, the Wolf defense was on point, with infielders Sydney Van Dyke, Allie Powers, Ava Lucero, and Cami Van Dyke all making smooth plays to send Orcas hitters trudging back to the bench.

Coupeville, a team of hit-happy assassins who rip the ball to all fields, started a bit slowly Monday after the long ferry trip, plating just a run in the first and none in the second.

Haylee Armstrong prepares to feast. (Julie Wheat photo)

The opening run came courtesy a booming ground-rule double from Armstrong, followed by an RBI single to left from Calkins, but Orcas hung tough in the early going.

That didn’t last, however, as the Wolves got revved up, slapping three more runs on the board in the third, six in the fourth, and a finally tally in the top of the fifth.

The second run was a straight-up repeat of the first one, with Armstrong crunching a double and Calkins mashing a run-scoring single.

After her second base knock, the “The Red Dragon” motored home on a wild pitch, before Ava Lucero swatted an RBI groundout to make it 4-0.

Orcas finally cracked for good in the fourth, with Zariyah Allen and Armstrong walking, before the heart of the order rained down run-scoring pain on the Vikings.

Cami Van Dyke zipped an RBI single to center, Calkins brought another run home with a sac fly, then the Wolves went wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am.

Consecutive smashes off the bats of Chelsi Stevens, Sydney Van Dyke, Ava Lucero, and Maynes stretched the advantage out to 10-0, signaling CHS was on its way to enforcing the mercy rule for the 12th time in 16 games.

The cherry on top of the run-scoring sundae arrived in the fifth as Stevens torched the Orcas hurler for yet another RBI single, this one landing deep in right field, as the Wolves have now outscored their foes 255-33.

 

Monday stats:

Zariyah Allen — One single, one walk
Haylee Armstrong — One single, two doubles, one walk
Teagan Calkins — Two singles
Ava Lucero — Two singles
Adeline Maynes — One single
Chelsi Stevens — Two singles
Cami Van Dyke — One single
Sydney Van Dyke — One double, one walk

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Sydney Van Dyke and her travel ball teammates are off to a strong start. (Colleen Henderson-Van Dyke photo)

Adeline Maynes was in mid-season form.

The Coupeville High School sophomore was firing BBs from the pitcher’s circle Saturday, whiffing five across three innings to lead the Island Vipers 16U softball squad to a 9-4 win over New Level Softball – Dail in Everett.

The Vipers, who draw players from across Whidbey Island, jumped on their foes with a four-run top of the first, and never looked back.

“The girls came out firing on all cylinders, the base runners were aggressive, and the bats were on fire,” said coach Grant Van Dyke.

Sydney Van Dyke and Shea Allison fueled the early rally with base knocks, with the Vipers coming back around to ice the game with five runs in the third.

Sophie Zeigler, Emma Allison, Maynes, and Shea Allison all drove in runs during the game-deciding surge, with Cameron Van Dyke and Charley Lasick also picking up base hits.

Capri Anter and Marlie Wutzke paced the Vipers with two walks apiece, with the squad pushing the pace on the basepaths with eight stolen bases.

The Vipers, who also include Ava Lucero and Kennedy Strevel on their roster, get back at it next Saturday with another road game, this time traveling to square off with the WA Bombers 16U.

Adeline Maynes (center) is a flame-throwing terror in the pitcher’s circle 24/7/365. (Jackie Saia photo)

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Adeline Maynes triggers the offense. (Jackie Saia photo)

They’re learning under fire.

The Coupeville High School varsity volleyball squad has a huge target on its back, coming off an undefeated run to a Northwest 2B/1B League title, and eventual 18-2 finish and 4th place trophy at state.

But thanks to graduation, these Wolves are also largely not the same Wolves that achieved those feats last year.

Instead, Scout Smith’s current squad is a young team with great promise, but one where most of its main players are making their varsity debuts.

And they’re getting there, while absorbing some losses along the way.

Tuesday, the Wolves picked up more hard-earned knowledge, falling in four sets at Mount Vernon Christian, in a match they controlled early, but couldn’t dominate all night.

The 16-25, 25-15, 25-15, 25-17 loss drops Coupeville to 1-6 in league play, 3-7-1 overall, heading into a Thursday night home rumble with La Conner.

That night the Wolves will also hold their annual Dig Pink event, honoring the fight against breast cancer.

While CHS fell at MVC, Smith embraced the positives.

“Really loved the leadership demonstrated by our sophomore setter, Tenley (Stuurmans),” she said. “Throughout all four sets she was doing her utmost to keep her teammates in the game and locked in and positive.

Sydney (Van Dyke) (also) did a great job stepping up when her number was called.

“Overall, we learn and look forward to La Conner.”

 

Tuesday stats:

Haylee Armstrong — 6 kills, 8 digs, 4 aces
Teagan Calkins — 10 kills, 6 digs, 1 assist, 3 aces
Ari Cunningham — 2 digs, 1 assist, 1 solo block, 1 block assist
Lexis Drake — 2 kills, 1 dig
Adeline Maynes — 2 digs, 2 aces
Dakota Strong — 3 kills, 1 dig, 1 assist
Tenley Stuurmans — 1 kill, 6 digs, 18 assists, 1 solo block, 1 block assist, 2 aces
Sydney Van Dyke — 1 dig

 

JV nipped:

Coupeville’s high-flying second unit, which has the best record of any fall sports team at the school, suffered a rare loss, falling 26-24, 25-16, 3-15.

The defeat dips the Wolves to 4-2 in league play, 6-3 overall and gives the Hurricanes a bit of revenge after CHS won the first meeting between the two JV squads.

 

Tuesday stats:

Willow Leedy-Bonifas — 6 digs, 1 assist, 3 aces
Olivia Martin — 1 ace
Isa Mc Fetridge — 2 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace
Kennedy O’Neill — 2 kills, 2 digs
Cassandra Powers — 2 kills, 1 dig, 3 aces
Chelsi Stevens — 1 kill, 1 dig, 3 aces
Sydney Van Dyke — 4 kills, 1 dig, 2 assists, 6 aces

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The Wolf varsity preps for battle. (Jackie Saia photo)

A trip to the big city was the answer.

Playing in Auburn Monday, both of the Coupeville High School volleyball teams swept to victories, the first time the Wolves pulled off the successful double dip since opening night.

It also brought an end to a never-ending road trip which had seen the CHS varsity play five of its last six matches away from Cow Town.

Coupeville’s spikers now have three of their next four at home, hosting Orcas Island (Oct. 2), Friday Harbor (Oct. 7), and La Conner (Oct. 16), with a trip to Mount Vernon Christian wedged in there Oct. 14.

How Monday played out:

 

Varsity:

Coupeville controlled play from start to finish, beating host Auburn Adventist Academy 25-14, 25-10, 25-7 to get to 3-4-1 on the season.

The quality non-conference win earned a nod of approval from Wolf coach Scout Smith.

“Varsity did a great job being adaptable and improving with every set,” she said. “We have been stressing lately the importance of limiting unforced errors, and last night we improved on that in every set.”

Smith shuffled her lineup a bit, with Dakota Strong anchoring the middle, Capri Anter being called upon to play multiple positions, and swing player Adeline Maynes used as a service specialist.

“I love that we have these opportunities to face new challenges that force us to become a better and more flexible team,” Smith said.

“Shout out to Adie for being a continually versatile and selfless player.

Adie is only ever concerned with how well the team is playing and never her individual accolades,” Smith added. “She will step into any role that benefits the team.”

 

Monday stats:

Capri Anter — 1 kill, 3 digs, 3 aces
Haylee Armstrong — 6 kills, 4 digs, 1 assist, 3 aces
Teagan Calkins — 6 kills, 4 digs, 7 aces
Lexis Drake — 1 kill, 2 digs, 4 aces
Adeline Maynes — 1 dig
Dakota Strong — 2 kills, 1 assist
Tenley Stuurmans — 1 kill, 15 assists, 1 solo block, 7 aces

 

JV:

Powered by a season-best performance from freshman setter Emma Leavitt, the young Wolves romped to a 25-12, 25-12, 15-5 victory.

The well-balanced win lifts Coupeville’s second squad to 4-2 on the season.

“Our JV team is really start to hit its stride,” Smith said. “The team is beginning to gel and play really well together.”

The Wolves got contributions across the board, with another freshman, Kennedy O’Neill, drawing particular praise.

“Shoutout to Kennedy for stepping up as a leader,” Smith said. “She has done a great job stepping up these last few games and is showing her quality not only in her skills but also in her leadership qualities.

“We are very excited to see how she will continue to grow as the season progresses and in years to come.”

 

Monday stats:

Hailey Grijalva — 1 dig, 1 assist, 1 ace
Emma Leavitt — 2 kills, 11 assists, 9 aces
Isa Mc Fetridge — 3 kills, 2 digs, 3 aces
Kennedy O’Neill — 3 kills, 1 dig, 1 assist, 5 aces
Chelsi Stevens — 2 kills, 2 aces
Sydney Van Dyke — 6 kills, 1 dig, 1 assist, 2 aces

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Teagan Calkins and her weapon of choice. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

These Wolves carry big bats, and they know how to use them.

Belting nine extra-base hits Friday, including three out-of-the-park home runs, the Coupeville High School softball squad decimated host South Whidbey 15-3.

The non-conference victory, brought to a close after five torrid innings by the ten-run mercy rule, lifts CHS to 16-1 heading into its regular-season finale.

That game is set for Tuesday, May 6 in Coupeville, with former league rival Granite Falls visiting as the Wolves celebrate Senior Night for Chloe Marzocca, Madison McMillan, Jada Heaton, Mia Farris, and Taylor Brotemarkle.

Coupeville’s seniors are exiting in style. (Ava Lucero photo)

The sage veterans, and their very-ready-for-prime-time younger teammates, are part of one of just two teams in 2B with only a single loss this season.

That lone blemish was a 5-4 defeat to 3A Oak Harbor, way back on March 15, and everything after it has been good times.

Case in point, Friday’s clash with a very-solid Falcon diamond squad, which sits at 8-8 after its loss.

While South Whidbey, a 1A school, may have a bigger student body than CHS, the Wolves run deep in talent.

Freshman hurler Adeline Maynes, already an ace in her second high school diamond campaign, was firing BB’s Friday, whiffing nine while scattering just three hits.

And she got solid defense from her support crew, for the most part, with middle infielders Sydney Van Dyke and Brotemarkle gunning down runners to cap things in the final inning.

Home run hitters (left to right) Mia Farris, Madison McMillan, and Sydney Van Dyke marinate in the moment. (Ava Lucero photo)

But it’s the bats which once again captivated the always-enthusiastic Wolf fan base, as Aaron Lucero’s sluggers made contact, and drove through the ball with a vengeance time and again.

Coupeville scored in every inning, jumping on the Falcons for four runs in the top of the first to set the stage.

Walks to Brotemarkle and McMillan mingled with base knocks for Teagan Calkins, Van Dyke, and Haylee Armstrong, and the Wolves were off to the races.

But the biggest blows were yet to come.

Mia Farris was the first to strike, crushing a two-out solo shot in the second.

It was her second over-the-fence tater in as many days, as she also went yard Thursday while on Orcas Island.

Coupeville pushed two more runs across in the third to get the lead out to 7-0, then had its one brief burp of the afternoon.

South Whidbey took advantage of a brief defensive letdown to net three runs, before Maynes dug in and declared, “No more for you.”

She retired the final seven Falcon hitters, with the last out a decisive strikeout to set off a team-wide celebration.

“This ball ain’t coming back. Ever.” (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Back at the plate, the Wolves threw down four runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to stretch the margin back out, with Van Dyke and McMillan joining “Mia the Magnificent” in the “I love the longball” club.

Van Dyke sent a two-run missile screaming out to left, clearing the fence for the first time in a varsity game, while McMillan’s mammoth shot — a bases-clearing grand slam — almost made it over to South Whidbey’s football stadium.

Maddie’s was a smash,” Aaron Lucero said. “She got every ounce of that ball.

“I think it was still rising as it left the park.”

During the high school season, they may wear different uniforms, but when summer arrives, they unite and strike as the Island Vipers. (Grant Van Dyke photo)

While Coupeville and South Whidbey are not currently in the same league, or classification, as in many past years, the rivalry always remains important for bragging rights.

“There are certain teams that I get just a bit more excited for, and they’re one of them,” Aaron Lucero said with a smile.

“I know most of their team from summer ball and they have solid players. Excited for our team.”

 

Friday stats:

Capri Anter — One double
Haylee Armstrong — Two singles, one triple
Taylor Brotemarkle — One double, one walk
Teagan Calkins — Two singles, two doubles
Mia Farris — One double, one home run, one walk
Jada Heaton — One walk
Adeline Maynes — One walk
Madison McMillan — One home run, one walk
Sydney Van Dyke — Two singles, one home run

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