Cape boys’ volleyball celebrates seniors after DMA loss
Defending state champion Cape boys’ volleyball wrapped up its season May 9 with a 3-2 loss to the Delaware Military Academy team led by Reece Dodd.
The match didn’t end the way the Vikings would have liked, but the night concluded on a good note, as the Cape faithful paid homage to the team’s six seniors, including four-year letter winner Talan Stephens.
“It was a great game for Senior Night,” Stephens said. “I wish we could have pulled through, but it was a great game.”
The senior, who had a match-high 60 assists, began his volleyball career as a freshman when Cape started the program. Following a state title in 2023, the Vikings’ only loss in 2024 heading into their tilt with DMA was to undefeated Salesianum. The Seahawks were 7-6 but had Dodd, whom Cape coach Tyler Coupe called one of the best players in the state. Taking the first two sets 25-23 and 25-21, DMA had Cape up against the wall heading into the third set.
“We knew as a team we were the better team both individually and as a whole, but we had a lot of our struggles we were trying to play through,” said captain Blake Catts. “We didn't see many runs.”
Catts began playing volleyball his sophomore year and said the decision that led to him being a part of a state title team was the best one of his life. All over the court May 9, the senior led the team with 21 digs, and his 15 kills were second only to fellow captain Bryce Patterson’s 17.
Senior Jayceon White finished second on the team in digs with 19. Tias Small may have only registered eight kills and one block, but they came at opportune moments, electrifying the crowd, as the Vikings needed every point possible. Cruising in back-to-back sets 25-19 and 25-18, Cape knotted things at 2-2.
Unfortunately, the Seahawks and Dodd, whose 40 kills were a match high, managed to come back and win 16-14 to take the match 3-2.
Following the game, the five seniors present – William Roberts, Catts, Small, Stephens and White – were honored. Senior Todd Warwick was unable to attend the game. Coupe said the 2024 class has done what’s been needed to help launch the program.
“They understand the importance of small details; they understand the importance of love and support for their teammates,” Coupe said. “I think by far we’re probably one of the most consistently loud teams in the state – we really try and cause as much chaos from the sidelines as we can. That way we try and get each other up as much as we can.”
Cape finishes the regular season at 12-2, earning the No. 3 seed and a home date with Mt. Pleasant in the first round of the state tournament Wednesday, May 15.
