Cape volleyball beats Middletown, ready to host DMA

Cape volleyball defeated Middletown 3-1 in the Big House Dec. 4 to advance to the quarterfinal round of the DIAA state tournament. 

The Vikings will host Delaware Military Academy at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8. DMA upset Newark Charter 3-2 Dec. 5. DMA also beat Newark Charter 3-2 in the regular season.

Cape was cruising against the Cavaliers, winning the first two games 25-13 and 25-19. But Middletown woke up and won game three 25-23 and battled hard in the fourth before falling 25-20.

“Overall, I’m extremely happy to be walking out with a win. It’s a great accomplishment for the girls to advance to the quarterfinals,” said coach Tyler Coupe. “Our first set was one of the cleanest, most efficient sets we’ve played all year. After that, Middletown seemed to settle in and applied continuous pressure behind the service line. They made us extremely uncomfortable defensively. At times we let that uncomfortability control us, but overall we were able to maintain our composure and execute our game plan. Diverse offense and limiting unforced errors has been vital to our success this season, and it will continue to be if we want to stay alive in the tournament. We told the girls post-match [to] acknowledge the win and its significance, but don’t celebrate it. Don’t celebrate it as an end. Stay hungry and determined to do more.”

Cape was powered at the net by Rileigh Wilson with 15 kills, and Angelica and Bre Kusen with six kills each. Megan Smith set up 34 assists, while Jocelyn Leach and Emily Lam kept the ball in play digging along the backline with eight and 13, respectively. 

Katie Knarr had a stellar all-around game with six kills and 13 digs. Wilson also contributed five aces off her jump serve. 

“I just wish our seven seniors could have experienced this season playing in front of the students,” Coupe said.