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Cape volleyball holds four-team scrimmage

Cape sophomore Harper Mamele smashes a kill shot in the scrimmage with Delmarva Christian. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
August 29, 2024

Cape volleyball hosted three tough local teams Aug. 27 for a final tune-up play day. Playing along with the Vikings were Sussex Central, Delmarva Christian and Sussex Academy. All four teams made the DIAA tournament in 2023.

Teams competed in a round-robin format that included 40-minute games.

“I thought our scrimmages today were a good improvement from Saturday,” said Cape head coach Tyler Coupe. “We were able to be more in system, which is a positive improvement of our defensive assignments.”

Coupe thought Emme Smith did a really nice job forcing some sets to Amalia Fruchtman, Harper Mamele and Camilla Willis out of the middle.

“We have the potential to be such a long team from that position, and it’ll be imperative we keep them involved,” Coupe said. “It’ll just open up so much more space for our left and right pin hitters.”

Coupe said serving was really consistent, which forced each opponent out of system and gave the defense a nice advantage.

“We have a really unique level of athleticism in several positions that allows us to recover within a rally when things go wrong,” Coupe said. “However, we really want to try and ensure that we don’t need to rely on that athleticism to save us.”

Sussex Academy coach Hailee Gooch said her team will be very young this season. 

“We were missing our starting setter, Jopie Smith,” Gooch said. “It was a great lesson for the girls on perseverance, and it helped us to gain more insight into what we need to work on as a team. Cape probably had some of the toughest servers and best serve-receive we have seen so far this preseason. We were happy how the team progressed throughout the scrimmage, especially how the girls stepped up during playing Delmarva Christian. It’s all about finding that best chemistry and lineup that works for us.”

Delmarva Christian coach John Luong said he was happy with his team’s play during the scrimmages. 

“We did have a few hiccups, but it is very common for girls to be more worried about their friends/foes on the opposing team than the actual game itself,” he said. “I needed these weaknesses to be exploited in order for them to be fully addressed before the season starts. I am extremely excited to see what these girls can do and the struggles they overcome as a team.” 

Sussex Central coach Mike Adams said his team is young, talented and athletic. 

“We’re scrappy,” he said. “I’m excited to see what this team can accomplish.”

 

Cape senior Brielle Ross makes a diving play during the scrimmage with the Royals.
Cape senior setter Emme Smith makes a set on a wide shot.
Savannah Montgomery bumps a dig for the Sussex Academy Seahawks.
Junior Mallory Terhune makes a diving bump for the Vikings in the scrimmage with the Seahawks.
Delmarva Christian senior Elaina Millaway bumps a return in the scrimmage as teammate Layni Dukes looks on.
Junior Riley Barto slams a serve for the Royals.
Cape senior setter Emme Smith makes a save on the sideline.
Sophomore Karly Kruger serves an ace for the Sussex Central squad.
Junior Rylee Ockels bumps a dig for the Vikings.
Rylee Ockels serves for the Vikings.
Cape head coach Tyler Coupe gets the team rallied before the scrimmage with Sussex Academy.
Seahawks head coach Hailee Gooch gives her team lineup before the match with Cape.
Dymond Steele bumps a return for the Sussex Academy squad.
Cape sophomore Harper Mamele knocks down a kill against Sussex Central.
Senior Lily Hastings makes a set for the Knights.
Freshman Paige Nicholson sets for the Golden Knights.
Cape junior Kaylee Sockriter bumps a return as Amara Fruchtman looks on.
Royals senior Khushi Patel sets a teammate.
Royals senior Elaina Millaway serves an ace.
Sussex Academy junior Ellie Merrick bumps a dig.
Sophomore Anna Lara-Nieto serves for the Seahawks.
Freshman Nadia Ahmed makes a play for the Sussex Academy squad.
Cape head coach Tyler Coupe says keep your head.
Cape’s Camilla Willis, left, and Amalia Fruchtman roof a Sussex Academy kill attempt.
Sussex Academy senior Savannah Montgomery makes a diving dig.
Amalia Fruchtman slams a kill for the Vikings.
Camilla Willis serves an ace.
Cape senior Maggie Minto says bring it.
Cape senior Ava Calciano serves.
Delmarva Christian senior Layni Dukes serves with power.
Delmarva Christian sophomore Katie Jones has a joust with Cape’s Amalia Fruchtman.
Royals senior Elaina Millaway puts down a kill shot.

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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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