Running its win streak to five matches, the Coupeville High School volleyball team vanquished visiting Port Angeles 3-0 in a non-league match Thursday, Oct. 6.
In addition to racking up the sweep, Coupeville received a new school record from Hope Lodell. The junior served eight aces, upping her season total to 66 to break Mindy Horr’s mark of 62.
It was a dominating win for the Wolves (7-2), leaders of the Olympic League 1A division, over the third-place team from the conference’s 2A division. Next up for Coupeville is a trip to the 2A’s second-place team, Sequim (7-1), at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11.
Coupeville defeated Port Angeles 25-15, 25-21, 25-22.
The Roughriders’ record fell to 5-3.
“Great group effort,” coach Cory Whitmore said. “We had, and maintained, a lot of focus and energy. We played clean, having all our hitters with positive percentages.
“We remained calm when they made great plays and took the ball right back. (I’m) very proud with the performance but more pleased with the growth.”
Three aces by Lodell helped Coupeville jump to a 5-1 lead in game one. In all, the Wolves used 14 aces to help secure the set.
Coupeville trailed by four early in the second set (7-3) and then opened its own five-point lead (16-11) before the Roughriders rallied to tie the game at 18. From there, the Wolves took advantage of PA mistakes to pull away.
Coupeville survived a late Port Angeles surge in the third game to wrap up the match.
Lodell had four kills and eight digs to go along with her eight aces. Valen Trujillo added seven digs and six aces.
Emma Smith recorded five kills and Katrina McGranahan four with the help of 11 assists from Ashley Menges and nine from Lauren Rose.
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Ashley Menges serves an ace to help close out game one. Photo by John Fisken.