Bolstered by a talented junior class, the Coupeville High School softball team looks to improve on its third-place finish in the Olympic League last season.
Among the juniors are two-year starters Katrina McGranahan (pitcher/shortstop), Hope Lodell (outfield) and Lauren Rose (infield).
All three were first-team, all-league selections in 2016, and McGranahan was tabbed the team’s Most Valuable Player and Rose earned the Wolves’ offensive MVP award.
Another junior, infielder Mikayla Elfrank, transferred to Coupeville last spring and moved directly into the starting lineup.
Another returning letter winner, sophomore Veronica Crownover, was a first-team Olympic League choice as designated player last spring.
Three seniors return as well, Tiffany Briscoe, Robin Cedillo and JaeLynn LeVine. Briscoe and LeVine are three-year letter winners, and Briscoe won the Hustle Award last year.
Sophomores Sarah Wright, the team’s defensive MVP in 2016, and Tamika Nastali complete the list of returning letter winners.
Key newcomers, according to coach Kevin McGranahan are freshmen Scout Smith, Emma Mathusek, Malia Welling and Makenzie Davis.
Coupeville finished with a 9-11 record last year, and coach McGranahan said the club “showed a great deal of growth last year, and I am really looking forward to pushing them even further this year.”
He cites the team’s veteran leadership and continuity as its strengths. He also expects the team to be stout on defense and improved on offense.
Areas of focus for improvement include mental toughness and the ability to shake off mistakes.
The goals this year, according to McGranahan, are to improve on last year and win the Olympic League pennant.
“Of course the goal to win state is always out there, but we are keeping our eyes on the league title and then we can attack districts and state,” he added.
Rival South Whidbey visits at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18, for the opener and the first of three non-league games for the Wolves.
“We have a tough schedule this season and will be very tested with our non-conference opponents,” McGranahan said. “This should definitely help us when we get to the postseason tournaments.”
