The Cape volleyball team avenged last season’s 3-0 loss to 2023 DIAA state champion Smyrna with a 3-0 victory over the Eagles Sept. 12 at home.

The Vikings came back from being down 19-9 in the third set to snatch the victory away from the visiting Eagles. Only six points separated the teams in the three-set match.

Cape took the first set 27-25, the second 26-24 and the third 27-25.

“The match was nothing short of amazing,” said junior Amalia Fruchtman. “Being able to celebrate with your team after a hard-fought win is awesome. This game will boost our ability to fight through adversity, and will give us confidence in future matches to know and trust ourselves and teammates when times get hard.”

Cape was led by Harper Mamele’s 12 kills and 10 digs. Senior setter Emme Smith was magical at the net, putting up 35 assists. Sophomore libero Amara Fruchtman made 24 digs. Senior Ava Calciano pounded eight kills. Amalia Fruchtman and Camilla Willis put down seven kills each and bumped six and two digs, respectively, while Willis roofed four blocks. Junior Mallory Terhune bumped seven digs. Senior Brielle Ross kept her consistency on the service line and on the front line, garnering four kills while roofing two blocks.

“What a significant win tonight for our program,” smiled Cape head coach Tyler Coupe. “It’s the first time a Cape team has beaten Smyrna since we took over [this is Coupe’s 10th season], and I believe a few years before that since. Sets one and two had some good flows of sideout, where neither team was able to hold or build a substantial lead. Our athletes again showed some serious resiliency to be able to fight off some late-set points and continue to fight with such intensity. While we made mistakes, we never got to a point where we were afraid to win.”

During a timeout with the team down 19-9 in the third set, Coupe said he told his team to hunker down and look to build momentum with positive plays.

“For those girls to fight through such an uphill battle and come out on top, it’s such a positive sign of both their skill and their spirit,” Coupe said. “We had plenty of bright moments to share, but for Amara Fruchtman, Camilla Willis and Harper Mamele to be so young and so composed was a treat. They weren’t alone in this win; each of the girls who saw the court, and those who didn’t, kept our energies focused and in line. A fun win that gives us a weekend to regroup and to prep for Poly on Tuesday.”

The Vikings travel to Polytech Tuesday, Sept. 17, to face the Panthers.