POULSBO — Sunshine glistened off the rackets of each player competing in a showdown between the North Kitsap Vikings and Central Kitsap Cougars Tuesday in Poulsbo. Unfortunately for the Vikings, CK shone even brighter as it ground out a hard fought 3-2 victory and dropped North’s overall record to 1-2.
POULSBO — A raucous crowd in the North Kitsap High School gymnasium received the end result they were clamoring for Tuesday night. The North Kitsap Vikings volleyball team made short work of the Olympic Trojans, sweeping its opponents from Bremerton 3-0 (25-10, 25-18, 25-22) for its first victory of the season.
POULSBO — There were many reasons why North Kitsap Vikings swimming coach Greg Braun had a smile on his face following the first home swimming meet of the season. Even though his squad lost 98-82 against Tacoma’s Wilson High School Rams Thursday afternoon, Braun said his team performed well against a formidable opponent.
The final score wasn’t reflective of how close this meet actually was.
PORT ORCHARD — The smoky haze above Joe Knowles Field reappeared just as quickly as it vanished throughout the night.
It was that kind of game for North Kitsap, which saw the celebratory explosives go off often in the Vikings’ 41-7 loss Friday against South Kitsap in the “Civil War” game.
KINGSTON — For the first 65 minutes of Kingston High School’s first girls soccer game, the Buccaneers outplayed their opponents from Port Townsend in every facet of the match. Unfortunately for KHS players, they simply weren’t able to capitalize during their show of prowess.
POULSBO — The Kingston High School boys tennis team showed its perseverance in its inaugural match of the season against the high-powered Peninsula Seahawks Friday afternoon at the North Kitsap High School tennis courts. When it was all said and done, the Buccaneers defeated the Seahawks 4-3 for its first victory of the season.
POULSBO — Perfection. Rarely in the sport of tennis do all five varsity slots on a team come out of each of their matches victorious on the same day. The Vikings boys varsity tennis squad broke out its broomsticks, crushing Mount Tahoma 5-0 Wednesday afternoon in a clean sweep at North Kitsap High School. The Vikings won every match in straight sets.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — The Vikings were a bundle of nerves during their first vollyball match of the season against cross-town rivals Bainbridge Tuesday night. And it showed on the scoreboard.
The Spartans swept the Vikings 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-21) Tuesday night at Bainbridge Island High School, handing the Vikings its first loss of the season.
POULSBO — Vikings forward Stephanie Skelly sped towards the goal alone with a chance to give the North Kitsap Vikings soccer squad a win in its second game of the season against Bremerton Thursday night. With the score knotted at 2 apiece and just under three minutes remaining in regulation, Skelly carried the ball towards Bremerton’s net going one-on-one with Knights goalie Luci Bocklie.
POULSBO — It wasn’t just a game. It was a celebration.
The festive atmosphere was evident throughout the night as members of the Kingston community filled the stadium to capacity coming together en masse for the inaugural football game in the school’s history at North Kitsap Stadium Friday night.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — It wasn’t the result the North Kitsap Vikings football team envisioned in its opening game of the season. The Vikings made the return trip across the Agate Pass Bridge without a victory in their pockets, as the Bainbridge Spartans cruised to a 41-7 victory Friday night.
KINGSTON — Kingston High School boys tennis coach Ken Crawford couldn’t wipe the smile off his face Tuesday while watching players volley back and forth on a picture perfect afternoon.
“I’m pretty psyched for the season to start,” he said. “We have a good group of kids out for the team this year.”
POULSBO — Sounds of rackets connecting and balls whistling through the air were the norm during the North Kitsap High School boys tennis practice Wednesday morning. It’s that time of year again as Vikings tennis head coach Jay Devries sported his infamous sunglasses during the eighth practice of the preseason.
POULSBO — Vikings cross country head coach Lee Hodin expects the boys and girls cross country teams to be among the elite in the Narrows League this year. By the time November rolls around, he hopes both of North’s squads are competing in the Class 4A cross country state competition.
KINGSTON — Twenty-one Kingston High School cross country runners finished practice partaking in a wide array of stretching exercises at the conclusion of a 90-minute workout session where each individual ran five miles. It may only be the second week of practice, but KHS cross country head coach Roger Coffman already has both the boys and girls squads in midseason form.
POULSBO — Depth. The North Kitsap High School girls swim team is in a unique situation, becoming a big fish in a large pond unlike any of the other fall sports squads for the Vikings.
KINGSTON — The fountain of youth is pumping away as approximately one-third of the 32 players at Kingston High School girls soccer practice are freshman. Even so, the youthfulness of the squad doesn’t worry KHS girls soccer coach Craig Smith.
Smith, who has been involved with soccer in the North Kitsap area since the early 1980s, is optimistic about his team’s chances for success in the 2A/3A Olympic League.
POULSBO — Thirty-eight Vikings soccer players laced up their cleats, pushing themselves through soccer drills with Vikings head coach Pat Stickney shouting words of encouragement and instruction during the second day of girls soccer practice Tuesday. Despite having just 38 players in attendance, Stickney said he feels confident that the Vikings will perform well in Narrows League play this season. Last year, North Kitsap High School had more than 60 players turn out for the team in August.
KINGSTON — Lisa Roberts is the definition of a local. Roberts, who has lived in Kingston her entire life, recently nabbed the vacant Kingston High School head volleyball coaching position.
The school board has yet to formally approve the hiring, but is expected to do so at an Aug. 23 meeting.
KINGSTON — The only senior on the Buccaneers volleyball squad is taking her role as a leader quite seriously. When the team broke its huddle for warmups Monday, Stephanie Eadie was first in line, leading 20 athletes through the first two warmup laps during the opening practice of the season.