Cape volleyball hosts 10-team play day

Cape defensive specialist Mallory Terhune makes a diving service return against Newark Charter. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

August 28, 2023

The Cape volleyball squad took to its home hardwood Aug. 26 for a 10-team play day scrimmage. The games were held on three courts in Cape’s Big House and timed for 40 minutes. The competition started at 9:30 a.m. and finished up at 3:30 p.m., with a 20-minute lunch break.

Along with Cape, teams competing were Caravel, Conrad, Delmarva Christian, Newark Charter, Padua, Ursuline Academy, Smyrna, Tower Hill and Tatnall.

“Today was a really effective day for us,” said Vikings head coach Tyler Coupe. “We had some of the top teams in state in our gym, with three of last year’s four state semifinalists. We ran different rotations each of our matches, trying to get a better idea of who’s best suited for which position. We’re slowly figuring out some potential combinations, but I think this year for the first time it’s truly going to be a match-by-match decision of which combo of players is best in that moment. I thought our service return was much more consistent this time around, allowing us to get our middles involved. Amalia [Fruchtman] and Harper [Mamele] really proved to be effective out of the middle, even defensively. They each had a lot of positive block touches, slowing balls down for our defense. We’re by no stretch going to be the biggest, most physical team this year, but if we can keep being the scrappiest and most effective out of system, then we’re going to give other teams a really hard time this year. We are looking forward to continuing to push ourselves.”

Cape will scrimmage Sussex Academy at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 30.

“I feel like the girls played well,” said Delmarva Christian head coach Mike Zampini. “They’re communicating well. The setters were talking, the hitters were talking, and the back row was talking, so we had a lot of communication going on in the court, which is something we’ve been working on a lot this preseason. We had some really good moments, and then we had some not-so-great moments, but that’s what preseason’s all about, getting rid of those kinks.”

Delmarva Christian will open its regular season Friday, Sept. 8, at Cape Henlopen.

The Cape bench gets excited for a winning point against Newark Charter.

Junior Maggie Minto slams a jump serve in the scrimmage with Newark Charter.

Delmarva Christian senior Maggie Kwiatkowski powers in a lefty jump serve.

Royals senior Addy Benjamin taps over a kill shot.

Cape sophomore Kaylee Sockriter makes a diving save attempt.

Cape junior Ava Calciano makes service return against Newark Charter.

Royals junior Madison Jones bumps a return.

Cape senior Lily Joyce, right, blocks a Patriots kill attempt.

Royals junior Layni Dukes bumps a return.

Cape JV players helping out with the play day are (l-r) Mia Gordon, Madison Deas, Maile Godwin, Emma Lavin, Madison Mark, Rylie Myers, Courtney Kosc, Camilla Willis, Mia White, Dilyla Rohls, Anejah Johnson, Kate Hill and Lindsey Smith. Not shown is Naisae Ngido.