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Cape volleyball hosts annual play day

Cape senior Brielle Ross and sophomore Camilla Willis block a Caravel kill attempt in their matchup with the Bucs. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
August 27, 2024

The Cape volleyball team hosted its annual Play Day at the Beach Aug. 24, when 10 teams from throughout the state took to the hardwood of Cape’s Little Big House to hone their team concepts and skills to prepare for the upcoming season. 

Along with the Vikings, the teams from Smyrna, Padua, Archmere, Ursuline, Caravel, Conrad, Newark Charter, St. Georges Tech and Tower Hill competed in 40-minute matches to allow for maximum play from the Delaware powerhouses of the hardwood.

“I think we did well as a team,” said senior Maggie Minto. “We put on a good showing toward stronger teams than we’ve seen so far.”

“Today was another positive learning experience for us,” said Cape coach Tyler Coupe. “We ran four different lineups against some challenging teams that highlighted some of our practice intentions of the last week, but also showed some weaknesses that need to be improved. Our serve receive was way too inconsistent for effective play. We put ourselves in good in rally defensive positioning, but we’re inconsistent in our contact, often forcing an out-of-system offense that could have been run in system.”

Coupe continued, “We had three of four of last year’s state semifinalists in the gym along with almost every other team qualifying for last year’s tournament, so it’s a nice physical and mental test to keep battling and observing how teams of this caliber compete. We have another opportunity for fine-tuning Tuesday [Aug. 27] as we host [Sussex Academy], [Sussex] Central and Delmarva Christian.”

 

Cape senior Brielle Ross makes a save on the sideline.
Cape sophomore Harper Mamele roofs a block on a Caravel hitter.
Cape sophomore Amara Fruchtman pounds an ace.
Cape senior Brielle Ross makes a diving play.
Cape senior Brielle Ross bumps a return.
Sophomore Camilla Willis makes a block on a Caravel hitter.
Senior Ava Calciano slams a service ace.
Cape junior Amalia Fruchtman gets major air for a service ace.
Senior Ava Calciano bumps a return of serve.
Senior Emme Smith serves to Newark Charter.
Harper Mamele serves to Newark Charter.
Cape junior Mallory Terhune makes a diving dig.
Sophomores Camilla Willis, center, and Harper Mamele block a Newark Charter kill attempt.
Cape’s Amara Fruchtman, left, and Maggie Minto make sure of a serve return.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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