Golden Eagles run big runs all night to win the Mariners
BELLINGHAM – Up, over and over again.
That was the thought of Ferndale Junior Morgan Hayes when she served during an 18-0 run by the Golden Eagles against Sehome on Thursday night.
Ferndale beat Sehome in straight sets 25-10, 25-14 and 25-10 to improve to 3-0 at the start of the season.
The Mariners were leading 6-5 at one point in the first set, but that was the last time they would lead the rest of the set. That 18-0 run by the Golden Eagles gave them a 23-6 lead before closing at 25-10.
Ferndale coach Patti Hölzle said the Golden Eagles defense made that big swing possible.
“We really didn’t drop a single ball on our side so our defenses were very fragile even when different types of balls passed and that was really key,” she said.
The Golden Eagles couldn’t quite hold that momentum before the second set as some casual mistakes put Sehome in the lead.
Not too far ahead, however.
Junior Morgan Hayes served in the first set during Ferndale’s 18-0 run. (Hailey Palmer / Lynden Grandstand)
Ferndale and Sehome were tied 10-10 in the second set as another big run came. The Golden Eagles beat the Mariners on the track with 15-4 and also took the second set.
“Volleyball is a game of dynamism. We’re just talking about wanting to get two points at the same time and then back off, ”said Hölzle. “Even if they get the ball back, we have to stop the ball immediately and they did really well.”
The Golden Eagles led early and crossed their paths through the third and final set to complete the Mariners swing.
Hayes said good communication and an aggressive demeanor helped Ferndale take the win.
“We’re really focused on finding the place and really trusting our team-mates, which is an important key,” she said. “I think we’re doing a really good job with all of this.”
Senior Kaelee Bungard scored a team high of 11 kills against Sehome. (Hailey Palmer / Lynden Grandstand)
Hayes finished the match on a team high of seven aces to go with two kills and four digs. Sophomore Mallory Butenschoen led the team with 14 digs and also had two aces. Kaelee Bungard, Senior Outside Hitter, fired away for a team high of 11 kills.
After a big win against Lynden earlier this week, Hölzle said she thinks a lot of that dynamic is carried over to Sehome.
“We had problems in our first game against Baker, so we pulled back and played as well as we did in Lynden. “I think they want something different from what they wanted at the beginning of the season and that will be the push towards the postseason.”
Ferndale will be looking to continue his hot start to the season at 7pm on Tuesday evening at home against Mount Vernon.
