The Coupeville High School volleyball team tightened its hold on first place in the Olympic League by blanking second-place Klahowya 3-0 Tuesday, Oct. 17, in Silverdale.

The defending champion Wolves (5-0, 7-3) have a game-and-a-half lead over the Eagles (4-2, 5-6) with five matches remaining.

Coupeville also assured itself of winning the three-match season series with Klahowya. The Wolves topped the Eagles 3-0 Sept. 26, and the two teams meet again a 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, on Senior Night in Coupeville.

Before that meeting, the Wolves host Port Townsend (1-4, 3-9) at 5:45 Thursday, Oct. 19, and go to Chimacum (1-5, 1-8) at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24.

The Port Townsend match is Coupeville’s annual Dig Pink Night, honoring those who suffered from breast cancer and bringing awareness to the cause.

Coupeville 3, Klahowya 0

When Coupeville played Klahowya earlier this season, it crushed the Eagles 25-14, 25-11, 25-15.

Klahowya put up a much stronger fight Tuesday as the Wolves prevailed 25-20, 25-23, 25-22.

“We didn’t particularly adjust defensively to their attacks, and they were a much improved Eagle team,” coach Cory Whitmore said. “We will have to learn from this when watching film.”

Whitmore liked what he saw from his offense: “We took steps forward today working to improve our hitting percentage, having all our hitters in positive numbers. (I’m) very happy to see that.”

Mikayla Elfrank led the charge with 10 kills, while Katrina McGranahan added seven and Payton Aparicio and Scout Smith five each.

Lauren Rose guided the offense with 21 assists; Ashley Menges chipped in with 12.

Four aces from McGranahan, three from Aparicio and two from Maya Toomey-Stout aided the attack.

Payton complemented her strong offensive game with 13 digs on defense; Hope Lodell led the Wolves with 14.