Before the high school bowling season even started, trash talk started flooding the ears of Emerald Ridge High senior Courtney Couch.
Her sister, Elisa, a freshman who had yet to bowl in a match at the varsity level, was firing the opening shots in the sibling rivalry.
“She was like ‘Courtney, I’m going to beat you.’ Going into the playoffs she was like, ‘Courtney, I’m going to win … I’m going to beat you,’ ” Courtney said. “She even says it about state.”
The older Couch, who had a 202 average during the regular season for the South Puget Sound League and 4A district champion Jaguars, wasn’t surprised.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Courtney said. “Me and my sister are pretty good sports about it.”
The rivalry has given three-time defending 4A state champion Emerald Ridge a jolt of energy this season.
“They’re pushing each other like nobody’s business,” Jaguars coach Al McCormack said. “It’s all about what’s better for the team, and they help everybody else out.”
Emerald Ridge, which hasn’t lost an SPSL match in four years, will kick off its quest to make it four straight state titles today at Narrows Plaza Bowl. The tournament runs through Saturday.
After losing Shannon Dexter and Allison McCormack to graduation (both averaged between 180-190), Elisa has stepped in with a 181 average. The team hasn’t missed a beat.
“She had some pretty big shoes to fill and she’s done that,” Al McCormack said.
Although the chirping between the sisters has gotten loud at times this season, it has never had a negative effect on the team.
“I think they laugh about it,” Courtney said. “Sometimes they’re like, ‘There is too much hostility here, you need to stop.’ But then, at the same time, it’s not like it’s a bashing to the point it’s ripping apart the team. Our chemistry is still there.”
“Sometimes they’ll have to tell us to leave each other alone,” Elisa said. “We’re both happy for each other, yet we both want to beat each other at the same time.”
Each sister has a different throwing style and approach to each frame. Both yield stellar results.
“She (uses) a lot of hand,” Courtney said of Lisa. “We play different lines and we do different stuff.”
“She’s a better spare shooter and more consistent than me,” Elisa said.
The sisters, along with teammates Katie Alstead, Gabby Bostwick, Alisha Tham and Sammie Wallace, have a chance to close out one era of the dynasty and perhaps start another.
A fourth state title would give the older Couch and Bostwick four titles in four years.
“That was our goal when we came in as freshman,” Courtney said. “Nobody has ever done it before.”
Courtney knows the program is in good hands, and thinks her sister has a chance to be great. Elisa is grateful for the support.
“I think that in time I can hopefully live up to (the legacy),” she said.
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