volleyball | Coupeville Sports

Posts Tagged ‘volleyball’

Be there or be square!!

Posted in Boys Tennis, Football, Girls Soccer, Volleyball, tagged CHS Wolves, fall schedules, football, Soccer, tennis, volleyball on June 1, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Lauren Rose (left), Emma Smith and the CHS spikers will play five straight matches at home to start next season. (John Fisken photos)

Uriel Liquidano (63) and Co. will play for The Bucket at home Sept. 2.

Wolf netters like John McClarin will spend more than 50% of their season on the road this fall.

In exactly 100 days, Mia Littlejohn (20) will get to kick foes in the ankles again.

Where will you be in 94 days?

If you answered, “Ploppin’ my butt on the temporary bleachers to watch the first Coupeville High School football game of the fall,” then, like me, you have absolute faith in Willie Smith.

Back in the CHS Athletic Director chair after an absence of several years, the Scheduling Maniac already has the fall sports schedule 98.37% locked in place, and we’re not even on summer vacation yet.

Now, things happen, and there’s always a chance some dates might get tweaked, or, in the case of tennis, rained out.

It happens.

But if you went ahead and laminated this baby now, I think you’d be pretty safe.

As well as being one of the few people to actually own a laminating machine…

Anyway, as you peruse the schedules, a few things of note.

There are more home games than road games — a rarity on The Rock — with volleyball getting the best break, with nine of 15, including its first five, at home.

Coupeville has kept its rivalry games with South Whidbey in football (where The Bucket is at stake) and girls’ soccer, though at the moment, the Falcons do not appear on the boys’ tennis or volleyball skeds.

After two seasons of having six league games, CHS soccer and volleyball are jumping to nine (three each against Port Townsend, Klahowya and Chimacum), which brings them in line with basketball, softball and baseball.

And, lastly, football kicks off season one of a new look in which the Olympic League and Nisqually League have combined to form a super league for gridiron play.

The Wolves will have seven league games, up from six, and no longer face the same team more than once.

The agreement allows the schools to set a full 10-game schedule, while eliminating the need to scramble and schedule crossover games once week #10 arrives.

Depending on each year’s playoff allocation for District 3, either the top two or three teams advance to the playoffs.

The schedules (as of June 1), with league games starred:

BOYS TENNIS

Tues-Sept. 6 @ Port Angeles
Mon-Sept. 12 Sequim
Wed-Sept. 14 @ Kingston
Fri-Sept. 16 Klahowya (*)
Fri-Sept. 23 @ North Kitsap
Mon-Sept. 26 North Mason
Wed-Sept. 28 @ Chimacum (*)
Fri-Sept. 30 Klahowya (*)
Wed-Oct. 5 Chimacum (*)
Thu-Oct. 6 @ Klahowya (*)
Tue-Oct. 11 @ Sequim
Thu-Oct. 13 @ Chimacum (*)

FOOTBALL

Fri-Sept. 2 South Whidbey
Fri-Sept. 9 @ La Conner
Fri-Sept. 16 Nooksack Valley
Fri-Sept. 23 @ Charles Wright Academy (*)
Fri.-Sept. 30 Vashon Island (*)
Fri-Oct. 7 Port Townsend (*) HOMECOMING
Sat-Oct. 15 @ Bellevue Christian (*)
Fri-Oct. 21 @Klahowya (*)
Fri-Oct. 28 @ Chimacum (*)
Fri-Nov. 4 Cascade Christian (*)

GIRLS SOCCER

Thu-Sept. 8 South Whidbey
Tue-Sept. 13 Chimacum (*)
Thu-Sept. 15 Sequim
Sat-Sept. 17 @ Port Townsend (*)
Mon-Sept. 19 @ Mount Vernon Christian
Thu-Sept. 22 North Mason
Tue-Sept. 27 @ Klahowya (*)
Thu-Sept. 29 Port Townsend (*)
Tue-Oct. 4 @ Chimacum (*)
Thu-Oct. 6 Port Angeles
Tue-Oct. 11 @ Sequim
Tue-Oct. 18 Klahowya (*)
Thu-Oct. 20 @ Port Townsend (*)
Tue-Oct. 25 Chimacum (*)
Thu-Oct. 27 @ Klahowya (*)

VOLLEYBALL

Tue-Sept. 6 Mount Vernon Christian
Tue-Sept. 13 Chimacum (*)
Wed-Sept. 14 Sequim
Tue-Sept. 20 Bellevue Christian
Thu-Sept. 22 North Mason
Tue-Sept. 27 @ Klahowya (*)
Thu-Sept. 29 Port Townsend (*)
Tue-Oct. 4 @ Chimacum (*)
Thu-Oct. 6 Port Angeles
Tue-Oct. 11 @ Sequim
Tue-Oct. 18 Klahowya (*)
Thu-Oct. 20 @ Port Townsend (*)
Tue-Oct. 25 Chimacum (*)
Thu-Oct. 27 @ Klahowya (*)
Sat-Oct. 29 @ Port Townsend (*)

To stay on top of schedules, pop over to:

Olympic League — http://www.olympicleague.com/index.php?league=21&page_name=school_home&school=0&sport=0

Coupeville Schools — http://coupeville.tandem.co/

Read Full Post »

The coolest Kat in town!!

Posted in Happy birthday, Softball, Volleyball, tagged CHS Wolves, Happy birthday, Katrina McGranahan, Softball, volleyball on May 25, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Katrina McGranahan: Mellow Superstar. (John Fisken, Joe Lippo and Justine McGranahan photos)

McGranahan (far right), during her earliest days on the diamond. (Connie Lippo photo)

She is a serene superstar.

When she’s competing, either on the softball diamond or volleyball court (or, back in the day, the basketball court) Katrina McGranahan burns with passion.

Of that there is little doubt.

The Coupeville High School sophomore, who celebrates a cake day today, has never given less than everything she has, at least in the many games I’ve witnessed.

She wants to win as badly as anyone who reps the red and black. Of that there is no doubt whatsoever.

But Katrina can flip that on and off, which bodes well for her.

She knows when to be fired-up and when to sail through life Matthew McConaughey-style, calm smile lighting up her face.

It’s a style she shares with older brother Wade Schaef, who operated in much the same manner during his time as a baseball and football player for the Wolves.

Hugely supportive of her teammates, whether it be with a grin, a hug or grabbing Lauren Rose and giving her a loving noogie, McGranahan is a true leader who has earned her captaincies.

She may not scream and holler and kick people in the rear, but not every captain leads that way.

Katrina leads by example, by not shying away from putting in work, by playing through pain, by always being accountable.

Others follow because they want to play LIKE her, and they want to play FOR her.

I have seen her devastated after a playoff loss and through the roof after winning a game on the final swing, and she was, in both cases, a sterling example of what we all hope to see in a young student/athlete.

Miss McGranahan exudes class every day, in every way, and having her as one of the most prominent faces of Coupeville sports is a genuine blessing.

Happy birthday, Katrina.

I hope you know how highly you are thought of by the fans you play in front of, and I hope today, like every day, is a great one for you.

Read Full Post »

Roses bloom into pride of prairie!!

Posted in Happy birthday, tagged CHS Wolves, Happy birthday, Kayla Rose, Keebler Elves, kindness, Lauren Rose, volleyball on May 12, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Birthday buddies Lauren (top, left) and Kayla Rose.

Kindness is underrated.

There are two prairie Roses celebrating a birthday today, and, as they continue to bloom into huge successes as athletes, it’s important not to forget that they are so much more.

Yes, Lauren and Kayla Rose, twin sisters and CHS sophomores, play huge roles in the world of Wolf sports.

But the reason we as a community are so proud of them, so fond of them, is because they are, at their core, amazing young women, on and off the field.

They exude a genuine sweetness and show such love and kindness to those around them, especially their family and friends, that you can’t help but be impressed.

They never seem to do it for mere show or to win points.

They do it because that’s who they are, and they do it equally in the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

Kayla and Lauren have benefited greatly from having an extremely strong support crew, through their family and church, but their light would shine through no matter what.

Covering sports, you meet nice people and mean people, those who think of others and those who focus intently on themselves.

You can be a super-nice person and be a dud as an athlete, and you can be a jerk and soar (at least in terms of wins and losses).

Once in awhile, though, you get to see the great people rewarded and that makes things sweeter.

The Roses achieve that perfect nirvana of talent, success and a spirit which makes others grateful for that success.

As the duo live out their school sports days here on the prairie, we are really, truly blessed, as fans and onlookers, to be a small part of that.

We smile a little bigger, cheer a little harder, for Lauren and Kayla and their friends, because they earn it, every day, with the class and grace of true stars.

In the end, none of the scores really matter all that much.

When we look back at past CHS athletes, what is remembered more than accomplishments, is who they were as people.

We’ve still got a nice, long run ahead of us with the Rose sisters, but I already know, when we look back at them later, we will do so with great pride.

Happy birthday, Keebler Elves. From all of us.

Read Full Post »

CHS coaching carousel in full motion!!

Posted in Football, Volleyball, tagged Breanne Smedley, Brett Smedley, CHS Wolves, Columbia River High School, football, Vancouver, volleyball on May 12, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville High School volleyball coach Breanne Smedley is leaving to take a job in Vancouver. (John Fisken photos)

Husband Brett will be joining her at Columbia River.

This is not an April Fools.

Four months out from a new season, Coupeville High School just lost half of its roster of fall sports coaches.

Brett and Breanne Smedley have accepted coaching and teaching jobs in their hometown and are leaving Whidbey Island to return to Vancouver.

Both will teach at Columbia River High School, with Breanne taking over as head volleyball coach.

Brett will be the school’s football defensive coordinator.

Columbia River is a 3A school and plays in the Greater St. Helen’s League, along with Fort Vancouver, Kelso and Prairie.

Both Chieftains programs won league titles this school year.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision, but ultimately we were presented with an opportunity we felt we couldn’t pass up,” Breanne Smedley said. “I am saddened to leave this team and community, but I am confident the program is in a great place to be successful next year and beyond.”

She has been the head volleyball coach at CHS the past two seasons, leading the Wolves to a tie for second-place in the 1A Olympic League this past season.

The Wolves upended Seattle Christian for their first playoff win in a decade.

With her departure, the Wolf volleyball program is two coaches down, as JV coach Heidi Wyman stepped down earlier in the year to focus on family and club coaching.

Brett Smedley worked as an assistant football coach under Tony Maggio before taking over the program last year.

Working with an extremely young roster, he went 1-10, but his team played aggressively and showed considerable signs of growth under his tutelage.

While the move gives the couple a chance to return to their roots, they will treasure their time on Whidbey.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better community to start our careers and begin our lives together,” Breanne Smedley said. “As I told the players, the relationships we have made here go beyond the volleyball court and I will continue to be available as a mentor and friend for these girls.

“Thank you again for the opportunity to coach and teach these amazing young women.”

Read Full Post »

A winner in every way!!

Posted in Happy birthday, Horse sports, Volleyball, tagged Ashley Menges, CHS Wolves, Happy birthday, horse sports, volleyball on April 13, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Ashley Menges: pick a sport, she’s a winner.

"Hey, it's my birthday!!" (John Fisken photos)

“Who’s gettin’ cake? This girl!!” (John Fisken photo)

We are in a new golden age for young female athletes right now in Coupeville.

Both the freshman and sophomore classes at CHS boast exceptionally strong groups, while the elementary and middle school levels are bursting with talent, as well.

One of the brightest and most successful is Wolf frosh Ashley Menges, who celebrates her birthday Thursday.

A standout volleyball spiker and competitive horse rider, she’s following in the successful footsteps of older brother Cody, a dazzler on the soccer pitch.

Ashley has quickly become a star in her own right, however, blasting to the forefront along with pals Emma Smith and Maddy Hilkey while juggling select and school volleyball.

When she’s not setting up the big hitters with her pinpoint passing, she can usually be found astride her horse.

A veteran of the state meet in Puyallup, Menges‘ ribbon collection is staggering and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

In the time I have covered her athletic endeavors, she has been everything in a teammate a coach would want to see — loyal, supportive, enthusiastic and highly devoted to her squad.

You can be a successful athlete and be rude and dismissive, but Menges is a prime example of living your life the opposite way — being successful while treating others with kindness and approaching each obstacle with a can-do attitude and a shining spirit.

Win or lose, Ashley has a charisma and a sunny nature that wins her fans everywhere she goes.

That she backs it up with strong athletic ability is just a bonus.

So, as she heads towards her cake day, we just want to take a moment to wish her the best, and thank her for making her school and her town look so good.

You’re a winner, Miss Menges, in every way.

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »