Vikings sweep Blue Jays to start three-match week

The Cape Henlopen girls' volleyball team became a winning team to start a three-match week that will wrap up September play for the squad. 

The Vikings collected their second win in a row Sept. 26 to move to 3-2 on the year, 3-1 in Henlopen Conference matches. 

Cape was in control throughout the contest and showed little competitive hospitality to the visiting Seaford Blue Jays, winning each set by at least double digits – 25-7, 25-15, 25-13.

“A big part of this was finding mini-games to continue to challenge ourselves, and a lot of that was behind the service line,” said coach Tyler Coupe.

Coupe said the team had struggled a bit from behind the line to start the year, noting inconsistency, but he was impressed with the Vikings’ serves in the Seaford match.

“Emmie [Smith] did a really good job of staying in a rhythm behind the service line. Mallory Terhune did a great job. Harper [Mamele] hasn’t really had any chances to serve in our previous four matches, but tonight we let her get all the middle service reps,” Coupe said.

Smith and Mamele led the team with six aces apiece, while junior Maggie Minto had four and sophomore Kaylee Sockriter collected three. 

“That was actually one of my first times doing a two-hand serve like that, and I’m really surprised and feel really proud of myself for doing that,” Smith said, adding that she will continue to serve that way.

Smith also led the team in assists with 14 and has earned the trust of her teammates with her setting skills. 

“A big part of it is asking them where they want it and putting that ball where they want it,” Smith said.

Capitalizing on Smith’s setting skills were a number of Vikings who registered kills, with Amalia Fruchtman’s seven and Ava Calciano’s six leading the way. Smith had two herself to join freshman Amara Fruchtman and sophomore Rylee Ockels at third for the team.

“Energy is a big part of it. We need to keep our energy up; if our energy is down, we don’t do as well and our heads aren’t in it. I think our energy stayed up the whole entire game, and we got our serves in and won the game,” Smith said.

Cape traveled to Milford Sept. 28, and will welcome Ursuline Academy Saturday, Sept. 30.