FERNDALE – After dropping the first set 25-23, The Golden Eagle volleyball team relied on the leadership of its two seniors to come back and defeat a very good Pioneer squad in each of the next three sets, 25-13, 25-20 and 25-20.
Graduating five seniors last year, Ferndale had a lot of starting spots to fill for this year’s varsity squad. With four returners coming back this spring season, seniors Liberty Miller and Jamie Johnson showed just what their leadership has meant to the team, especially on Wednesday night.
Miller
Senior libero Liberty Miller (according to Ferndale coach Patti Hoelzle) played the best full match of her career, completing the night with 47 digs. Liberty is headed to Skagit Community College next fall to continue her volleyball career.
Johnson
Senior Jamie Johnson contributed 38 assists along with three serving aces and 21 digs herself. Jamie has committed to playing basketball at Western Washington University next year, so was playing one of the last volleyball matches of her career.
Kaelee Bungard, junior, also had a strong night, racking up 16 kills, three aces and 25 digs. Junior Ellie Call, middle blocker, played a smart game up at the net, totaling four blocks and three kills for the Golden Eagles.
Both teams had the same league record (7-4) heading into the match and rallies were long with points going back and forth the entire night. Nooksack Valley had an amazing defensive back which made Ferndale’s typical strong offensive game led by Alyvia Semu, Avery Schneider and Bungard tougher to execute.
“I am so proud of this team,” Coach Hoelzle said. “Facing adversity and being flexible for this entire year throughout the pandemic. Sports being cancelled and staying at home, yet when the time came to finally have a season, bringing their positive attitudes and work ethic to the gym each day of these past six weeks. Watching the team play their hearts out for Jamie and Libby, our seniors, last night was a joy and honor to be a part of.”
Ferndale (8-4) will close its season out at 7:00 on Saturday at Sedro-Woolley (3-6), and the Pioneers (7-5) will host Lynden (11-1) on Friday night at 7:15.
