Share: 

Cape volleyball looks forward to a great season

Vikings return four starters to the Cape hardwood
August 28, 2016

Cape Henlopen volleyball head coach Tyler Coupe is looking for a good, positive year for his young squad after graduating seven varsity players from his 13-2 team of 2015.

“I think it’s going to be a good year,” said Coupe. “We are returning four starters from last year’s squad, which is really good. Graduating seven seniors is tough, but the toughest part about that is that we graduated seven really strong leaders.”

Coupe is looking forward to his players stepping up and taking on that leadership role.

“I’m excited and anxious to see who on our team steps up in that regard,” said the second-year coach. “We do have a lot of talent returning. We have a lot of physicality at the net, which is something I don’t think we had last year. We have some height and strength, and that will help us set us apart from other teams.”

Returning seniors are Abby E’Nama, Cailey Thornburg, Taylor Collier and Payton Heck.

“I'm excited to bring back these four seniors. They each bring something different to our team in terms of skill, but first and foremost they bring an intensity and desire for our team to be successful,” he said.

Juniors returning are Maddie Holt, Logan Shuttleworth and transfer Sophia Spinelli from Maryland. Sophomores who are adding playing time are Jada Flowers, Abby Bucklin, Niyashja Mosley and Alex Chiartas, plus incoming freshmen Teaghan Van Brunt and Lynzie Woodard.

“Transfer Sophia Spinelli is tall and is going to add to that physicality at the net, and freshmen Teaghan Van Brunt and Lynzie Woodard have that can-do attitude and demonstrate a great knowledge of volleyball. I expect them to make an impact in practice and in the games,” he said. “The four players who have come up from last year’s JV squad – Jada Flowers, Abby Bucklin, Niyashja Mosley and Alex Chiartis – each have a different skill set, and I’m looking forward to their contribution too.”

Returning as a varsity assistant coach is Lauren Black, and back at the helm on the JV side is Pam Coupe. 

The Vikings will host a 14-team scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Cape Henlopen High School gymnasium. Their regular season opener will be Friday, Sept. 9, when they host the Delmarva Christian Royals.

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter