After a tight first game, the Coupeville High School volleyball cruised by host Sultan for a 3-0 Tuesday, Sept. 27.

The Wolves prepared for the league win over the Turks by producing a strong showing at the South Whidbey Tournament Saturday, Sept. 24.

Coupeville (2-4, 3-4) finishes the first round of Cascade Conference play when Lakewood (2-4) comes to Central Whidbey Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m.

In the win over Sultan, the Wolves let a lead slip away before securing the first game 25-23. Behind strong serving and a defense that “dominated,” according to coach Toni Crebbin, Coupeville snapped up the next two games 25-10.

The Wolves fired 17 aces in the match, led by six from Ali Trumbull, five from Bessie Walstad and two from Katie Smith.

Walstad added five kills and Smith seven, part of Taya Boonstra’s 19 assists.

Crebbin said her team played “solid” and “consistent” in picking up its second straight league win.

Although the Wolves were missing a starter at the South Whidbey tournament, Coupeville tied 4A Edmonds-Woodway in pool play with a 5-1 game record and went on to finish sixth out of 16 teams.

The Wolves defeated Shoreline Christian 25-17, 25-19 and Hoquiam 25-11, 25-18 before splitting with E-W 24-26, 25-21.

Edmonds-Woodway was awarded the top seed out of pool play via the tournament’s tie-breaking system, sending Coupeville into competition against the No. 2 seeds from the three other pools.

The Wolves defeated Cascade Christian, then fell to state-ranked 3A Meadowdale in the game for fifth and sixth place. (Scores were not available.)

Crebbin said, “They (Meadowdale) were a strong team, and we seemed to run out of gas, but my girls were very proud of their finish that day, as was I.”