Wolf freshman Scarlett Spencer played strongly Friday night. (Leann Leavitt photo)
Get stronger every match.
That’s one of the big goals for the Coupeville High School JV volleyball squad, and Alita Blouin’s collection of spikers is fulfilling that objective.
Fighting a madly ticking clock Friday, the Wolves pushed visiting Orcas Island hard across two-and-a-half sets of action before the Vikings had to make a break for the ferry.
And while CHS came up on the short end of a 25-18, 25-16, 11-11 score — the third set was prematurely ended — the girls in white earned applause from their faithful fans.
Now 0-1 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 0-3 overall, the young Wolves get back at it next Tuesday, September 22, when they travel to Mount Vernon Christian, before playing three of their next four at home.
Squaring off with Orcas in the second match of the night, Coupeville kept things close in the early going.
Freshman Scarlett Spencer smacked a winner, then followed that up with a quality run at the service stripe to stake the Wolves to a 6-5 lead.
The advantage didn’t hold, however, as Orcas got its own hot streak going at the line, building a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Coupeville didn’t go down easily, though, with Olivia Martin sprinting from one side of the court to the other to chase down balls, while Addison Jacobson decisively ended a long rally with a well-placed ball that split the defense.
The Wolves held off three set points before the Vikings claimed the opening frame, and remained feisty going forward.
Emma Leavitt ripped off five consecutive points on her serve, peppering Orcas players with unhittable balls, while Martin continued to sacrifice her body for the good of the team, skidding across the floor to keep rallies alive.
The third set, while it finished in a premature tie, definitely felt like a pro-Coupeville experience.
Cassandra Powers went Leavitt one better, opening the frame with a six-point run on her serve.
Meanwhile, Spencer delivered a beautiful tip winner, while Sabrina Judnich and Annabelle Cundiff brought hustle and heart to the floor.
Friday stats:
Addison Jacobson — 1 dig
Sabrina Judnich — 2 digs
Emma Leavitt — 1 kill, 2 digs, 1 assist, 5 aces
Olivia Martin — 7 digs, 1 ace
Cassandra Powers — 3 digs, 1 assist, 4 aces
Scarlett Spencer — 2 kills, 1 dig, 1 ace
