Using a little homecoming magic, the Coupeville High School volleyball team came from two games down to stun rival South Whidbey 3-2 Thursday, Oct. 13, on the CHS court.

With the Wolves up 14-10 in the pivotal game five, Coupeville coach Toni Crebbin sensed a bit of déjà vu. When the two teams met earlier this fall, Coupeville held the identical lead only to crumble under a Falcon rally.

Not this time. After South Whidbey picked up two points to make it 14-12, Bessie Walstad fired an ace and the Wolves celebrated the upset win.

The contest was played in front of enthusiastic and spirited student rooting sections from both sides, and the fans’ roar never dimmed as the two squads responded on the floor.

South Whidbey (8-3), which came into the match with twice as many wins as the Wolves (4-7, 5-7), scratched to 25-23, 27-25 wins in the first two games. The Wolves took the next three 25-18, 25-12, 15-12.

In game one, the Falcons led 23-18 before Coupeville rallied to get within 24-23 on the strength of three Walstad kills and an ace by Taya Boonstra.

In game two, South Whidbey led 11-6, then the Wolves eventually led 22-20 before the Falcons recovered. Six of Coupeville’s first eight points came from South Whidbey service errors.

The Wolves jumped to a 13-8 lead in game four, then withstood a Falcon push that tied the set at 15. A kill by Makenna Martyn, a tip by Hailey Hammer, a stuff block by the pair and two aces from Katie Smith helped secure the win.

Coupeville took advantage of a struggling Falcon attack in game four as South Whidbey committed 10 hitting errors.

The Wolves never trailed in game five, but the Falcons evened the score at 8. Two kills by Hammer and a well-paced free ball by Chelsea Hudgins helped put the match away.

Smith and Hammer finished with eight kills, and Smith added 12 digs and three aces.

Ali Trumbull and Walstad had 10 digs each, and Boonstra recorded 18 assists and two aces.

Coupeville heads to Granite Falls (3-8, 3-9) for a 6 p.m. match Tuesday, Oct. 18.