Coupeville volleyball has numbers

In a 180-degree reversal from last year, the Coupeville High School volleyball team has 30 players trying out for the squad in 2008.

September 5, 2008 8:29 pm
Back for her senior year of competition
Back for her senior year of competition

In a 180-degree reversal from last year, the Coupeville High School volleyball team has 30 players trying out for the squad in 2008.

Last year, the Wolves had a difficult time putting varsity and junior varsity teams on the court but in her eighth season at the helm, coach Toni Crebbin no longer has that problem to worry about.

“Things are looking up,” Crebbin said. “This past winter was the first time we had an all Coupeville club team and that is going to help us out. Many of the girls I have were players on that team.”

In 2007 the Wolves finished 2-14 in the Cascade Conference and 2-16 overall, but they have a number of experienced players returning.

“I had four juniors off last year’s team who didn’t come out for their senior year, but I’m OK with that,” Crebbin said. “Kassie Lawson is back and I expect her to play a huge role in her senior year and I also have a fantastic foreign exchange student from Belgium, Linde Maertens.”

Also returning to the team is junior Michelle Riddele, who played soccer in 2007.

“Michelle started on the varsity team her freshman year,” Crebbin said.

Other returning juniors are Julie Huddleston, Kelly Snowden and Jessica Blanchette, along with sophomore Kyra Ilyankoff.

“The girls I have out for the team are very passionate about the game and we are very excited about the upcoming season,” Crebbin said.

As always, King’s High School is going to have one of the strongest teams in the Cascade Conference.

“They lost some of their big name girls, but they have the numbers to draw from,” Crebbin said. “South Whidbey has a new head coach and I expect them to be tough also, along with Archbishop Murphy.”

Despite the tough competition, Crebbin believes the Wolves will have a good season this time around and open some eyes around the league.

“I think we are going to really surprise people this year with our growth,” she said.

The Wolves open the season playing in the Oak Harbor Jamboree today, Sept. 6, and square off against Concrete in their first home match of the season at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10.