Athletes of the Week Aug. 26
Alex Chiartas
This Cape sophomore honors student has pleased the Vikings volleyball coaches so much this preseason, they have moved her to an integral spot on the back line of the varsity squad. "Alex is new to the varsity team, and at last week's scrimmage she was exposed to some high-level volleyball that she wasn't used to seeing," said head coach Tyler Coupe. "She was determined to get better, and as the day went on she never backed down from anyone. It was good to see that from such a young player." Alex is in the top 10 of the Class of 2019 and is a member of the Cape Henlopen Leo Club.
Taylor Collier
A veteran on the Vikings volleyball squad, this senior outside hitter will be called on to be a leader on the court for the young Cape team. "Taylor really stepped up her game this weekend at our play day at Wilmington Friends," said coach Tyler Coupe. "We were going against some of the top teams in the state, and she was able to stand her own ground. More importantly, in losing seven seniors from last year's team, she took on a leadership role that I was really happy to see. She was vocal throughout the day and did her best to keep everyone upbeat as well." A honors and Advanced Placement student at Cape, she also works as a mentor at the Sussex Consortium.
Darby Klopp
Clocking the fastest time in the preseason two-mile test, Darby is an Energizer Bunny on the Cape Henlopen field hockey squad. This sophomore has hustled her way onto the elite Vikings varsity roster and has left the coaches smiling in the process. "Darby has been showing great things for us," said Cape Henlopen assistant coach Debbie Windett. "She's doing a great job." A second-team all-conference cross country runner last year, she has decided to concentrate solely on field hockey this year. "I thought I might run cross country if I was a swing player for JV and varsity," she said. "But now I'm on varsity.” When not burning up the turf, she likes to relax on the beach.
Aidan Spoor
An 80-minute man is how Cape head soccer coach Patrick Kilby describes this junior honors student. "We're looking for a lot out of Aidan, and his fitness is allowing him to stay on the field a long time," said the second-year Cape coach. "As soon as we put Aidan in the center-mid position during the scrimmage against Lakeland High School, we scored three goals. He was the engine that made us go against Lakeland. I think he has found a home there." He scored one of the Vikings’ goals against the quality team from New Jersey. Aidan is an environmentally minded student who loves the beach and volunteers during the local organized beach cleanups.
