Coupeville seniors led the charge in Yakima. (Jennifer Heaton photo)
Katie Marti was virtually unstoppable.
Peppering her rivals with laser-like serves which tore holes in the floor, the Coupeville High School senior ripped off 14 consecutive points on her serve at one point Friday in Yakima.
She was operating with such precision and speed, mom Christi Messner, who had briefly stepped out of the gym to get lunch for everyone, almost missed an entire set.
But she got back in time to witness the celebration, food in hand, so things worked out just fine.
It was that kind of day for the CHS varsity volleyball squad, which went a fiery 10-3 at the 32-team SunDome Volleyball Festival, playing superb ball on the same floor where the state tourney will be waged later this fall.
Even getting back to Coupeville in the wee hours of Saturday morning, the Wolves garnered much from their trek East.
“It was a great trip, and we gained a lot of really great experience from it,” said CHS coach Cory Whitmore.
The Slammin’ Stuurmans Sisters — Tenley (left) and Lyla — are ready to bring some serious heat to the floor. (Sarah Stuurmans photo)
Coupeville kicked things off with their toughest match of the day, splitting two sets with Stevenson, before sweeping Connell and White Swan 2-0 with everyone in uniform seeing action.
That left the Wolves in second place in their pool, and the hot play continued over into bracket play, where they opened with 2-0 wins over University Place and DeSales.
Tiredness caught up just a bit to Coupeville in the championship match in the silver bracket, where they were edged in three torrid sets by Northwest Christian (Colbert) and claimed second place.
Facing down six opponents and largely dominating, while playing match after match in an environment recreating the state tourney experience? All huge positives.
“The entire point in attending the SunDome Volleyball Festival was to gain experience against tough competition, build upon our strength, identify and expose our weaknesses, and play in the exact environment we are hoping to play in at state,” Whitmore said.
“And we finished the day having checked all those boxes.
“I’m really proud of how the girls remained unified throughout a challenging day – it’s no easy task to play that much with such short breaks and still keep mentally strong enough to stick together.
“They do this exceptionally well and it makes a long day a lot of fun.”
Whitmore praised the play of his entire roster, while offering up flowers to a handful of spikers who really shined on the big stage.
“It is challenging to point out any one player that stood out, because throughout the day we had each player really contribute big-time in a variety of ways,” he said.
“Leading the way with their mental strength would be Mia (Farris), Lyla (Stuurmans), and Madison (McMillan). All three barely left the court all day and took the vast majority of swings.
“I’m so proud of how they shouldered so much of the load from the back and front row and still remained very effective in their roles.”
Marti, who kick-starts the team from her setter position, was a fireball all tourney, whether she was fresh in set one, or tired in set #13.
Jada Heaton (left) and Katie Marti, briefly at rest. (Jennifer Heaton photo)
“It was also a lot to ask of Katie, tracking down passes and digs and running the offense, but I thought that she remained consistent throughout the day,” Whitmore said.
“Her serve was brutal to the other teams’ offenses and again, she was very reliable from the line.”
Whitmore also heaped appreciation on the support crew, which came out in full force, even on the other side of the state.
“Another shoutout has to go to our parent group – we had so much help from the parents that were able to attend, and it really allowed for us as coaches to focus on preparing the team to be at their best,” Whitmore said.
“I thought we managed the flow of the tournament really well and that part of the competition can’t go overlooked or underappreciated,” he added.
“I’m very lucky to work so closely with a supportive and genuinely fun group to work with!”
Having returned home, Coupeville begins league play this coming week, with clashes against Friday Harbor and Mount Vernon Christian on the schedule.
Having had the chance to pick up some key tourney experience can only benefit the Wolves as they chase their goals the rest of the season.
“There was a lot to take away from this tournament,” Whitmore said.
“And even though I’m really excited about having gone 10 and 3 on the day, it’s the lessons and experience we gained that will be of tremendous benefit to the team as we move forward.”
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