The Coupeville High School volleyball team dropped three tough games in its season-opening loss at Archbishop Murphy Thursday, Sept. 8.

The Wildcats won 25-21, 25-18, 25-18 to grab the 3-0 victory, but the sweep was far from easy or quick. While the match lasted only three games, it took nearly an hour and a half to complete.

ATM, a perennial volleyball power, was picked to finish second in the Cascade Conference in the preseason coaches’ poll and Coupeville fifth. It took a few minutes for the Wolves to get over the intimidation factor.

Coupeville coach Toni Crebbin said, “The girls looked nervous in the first game, but once they realized that they weren’t being crushed by Archbishop, they started playing with a lot more confidence.”

The Wolves’ strong finish in game one carried over into the second set until seven service errors sunk Coupeville.

The third game was “closer than the score reflected,” according to Crebbin.

Bessie Walstad led the Coupeville offense with six kills, and Taya Boonstra added 12 assists and two aces. Katie Smith chipped in with a trio of aces and topped the defense with 13 digs.

The Wolves (0-1) head to Cedarcrest (2-0) Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. and then open at home Thursday, Sept. 15, at 7 with King’s (1-0).