Although it lost, the Coupeville High School volleyball proved it could play with the best in a 3-1 loss against visiting Archbishop Thomas Murphy Thursday, Sept. 9.

The Wildcats, a 2A school, are defending Cascade Conference champions and a perennial state power. They edged by the 1A Wolves 25-15, 25-18, 19-25, 25-16.

Coupeville coach Toni Crebbin said the games were closer than the scores might indicate as ATM (1-0) pulled away at the end of each set. She said, “We played them play-for-play. It was definitely a confidence booster.”

At the conclusion of the match, the Wildcat coach lauded the Wolves effort, according to Crebbin, who said it was nice to get the respect of one of the state’s best programs.

In the preseason coaches’ poll, Archbishop Murphy was picked to win the Cascade Conference again this year; Coupeville was picked to finish third.

Jessica Riddle led the Coupeville attack with 10 kills; Laura Chan guided the offense with 23 assists.

Defensively, Riddle had two stuff blocks and Taya Boonstra 20 digs.

Coupeville (0-1, 1-1) entertains Cedarcrest Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m.