Cape volleyball wins over Central

Cape freshman Harper Mamele slams one of her 11 kills in the Vikings’ victory over the Knights. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

October 30, 2023

The Vikings and the Knights went to battle Oct. 26. After a grueling back-and-forth match, Cape found a way to take a 16-25, 25-17, 25-23, 23-25, 15-10 victory from Sussex Central in Georgetown.

The gym was rocking with the boisterous crowd lending vocal support to the home team. After the Knights took the first set, it looked like the crowd had given unhinged energy to the 9-6 Central squad. Each team took turns making runs for the lead. Then with the fifth and final set tied at 10-10, Cape’s Harper Mamele ran to the service line with ice in her veins. The freshman served the final five points to garner the victory for the Vikings.

Mamele led Cape with 11 kills and two aces. Elle Smith assisted on 36 winners. Senior Emily Cook bumped 10 digs. Ava Calciano powered seven kills, grabbed five digs and served three aces. Brielle Ross slammed eight kills.

Central’s Takyla Davis led her team with 22 kills. Ava Albino and Lillette Hastings teamed for 34 assists.

“We’re certainly happy to get this win over Central,” said Cape coach Tyler Coupe. “They applied a ton of pressure behind the service line and were feeding off some really great energy from their fans. Our girls looked rattled and shook by that combination. I really liked our response in sets two and three. We were much more composed, less worried about anything off court and were able to score points on some good runs.

“Harper had a great day at the net and behind the service line. She continues to prove that hard hitting isn’t the only way to score; moving the ball around and being as unpredictable as possible really helps. I thought Lily [Joyce] did a great job behind the service line also, applying steady and consistent pressure, forcing Central out of system a good amount. Our free ball passing was more scattered than usual, and our in-game reactions and responses weren’t as crisp as I would like, but they were still able to find ways to score points and keep the advantage.”

The 9-6 Vikings will host 8-7 Delmarva Christian Thursday, Nov. 2, in the first round of the DIAA state tournament. Game time is 6:30 p.m. The Royals defeated the Vikings 3-2 Sept. 8 at Cape.

The Cape JV squad finished the 2023 campaign at 9-6 with a 16-25, 25-17, 15-10 win over the JV Knights.