LYNDEN – It was a battle between perhaps the two best teams in Whatcom County. Both teams went 18-3 last season and both teams return a pair of All-Northwest Conference 1st Team players. The matches were hard fought, but the Golden Eagles took three straight sets from the Lyncs; 25-22, 25-21 and 25-19.
“We really respect Lynden Christian,” said Ferndale coach Patti Hoelzle. “We played them a lot in the offseason, and in every tournament that we played against them we ended up losing against them. So, we knew what to expect. They have some very experienced seniors and some big hitters, and so do we. So, it made for some great volleyball.”
The first set was very even throughout, with the most consecutive points coming from a four-point run by the Lyncs, highlighted by a Sofie Fransen block, to give them the lead 13-12. Ferndale stormed back late, when it scored three consecutive points late in the set, to make it 24-21. Senior hitter Kylie Honrud sealed the first set with a kill.
“As a team we did an amazing job at keeping out momentum up,” Honrud said. “We played to our fullest potential, we played out hearts out.”
A quick 7-1 lead in the second set led to a much needed LC timeout. The Lyncs were able to come back, and get to within five points, 11-6. But, Ferndale’s power allowed them spread the lead even larger, at one point it was a 23-12 lead. Lynden Christian wouldn’t go away easy, as the Lyncs scored the next six points to make it 23-18. After a quick Ferndale point, LC scored three more, but ultimately lost 25-21.
“I think we really showed some grace under pressure,” Hoelzle said. “We were able to respond against a good team, with a big crowd when the score was close.”
Six-foot senior Hailey Pelton had three aces for the Golden Eagles, as well as 13 assists. Junior Malia Honrud led the team with 24 assists, while totaling nine digs. Senior Jolie Hinson led her team with 19 digs.
“We are really blessed to have multiple hitters and multiple weapons.” said Hoelzle. “Part of what my setters have to do is find who the hot hands are, and when a team adjusts to them, we need to go to someone else.”
The final match was tied at 17, and had the makings of a classic. Well-used timeouts from both teams gave the momentum back and forth. Once the Golden Eagles took a 20-18 lead, it was the Kylie Honrud show, as she dominated the last five points, with two spectacular kills, although she didn’t want any of the credit.
“It was pretty awesome,” Honrud said referring to the final five points of the last set. “It our team that got us there, for sure.”
Honrud finished with a team high 17 kills.
Ferndale (2-0) will host Squalicum (1-0) on Thursday night at 7:00. The Lyncs (0-1) will travel to Sedro-Woolley (0-1) on Thursday to take on the Cubs at 7:00.
