It’s only the middle of October, but these two teams played like it was November | Bellingham Herald

Just call Ferndale junior Kylie Honrud, for one night at least, volleyball’s Miss November in October.

Honrud’s 27th and match-ending kill provided a fitting capper for the 6-foot standout during a brilliant performance in unbeaten Class 3A Ferndale’s 15-25, 25-21, 30-28, 15-25, 15-12 marathon win over Class 1A Lynden Christian in a classic Northwest Conference match Thursday before a large crowd at LC on Coaches vs. Cancer Night.

“This was November volleyball – state level,” Ferndale coach Patti Hoelzle, whose team improved to 10-0 overall, 9-0 NWC. “LC (9-2, 8-2) is stronger than half the teams we’ll see at 3A district.”

Ferndale assistant coach Grace Bills noted that Honrud played “phenomenally well, hitting better than 40 percent most of the match.”

Honrud’s kill total overcame a remarkable display of attack balance by LC’s Jacci Plenkovich (19 kills, .486 percentage), Torina Hommes (17 kills) and Gracelyn Weg and Avery Dykstra (eight kills apiece).

Other numbers

Grace Kildall had nine blocks for Ferndale, while Hailey Pelton combined with Malia Honrud for 51 assists. Jolie Hinson had 18 kills for the Golden Eagles, who have no seniors.

LC, for whom Dykstra is the only senior, had 47 assists from Sofia Fransen, 20 digs each by Kelsie Otter and Hommes and three aces by Otter. Emma King had 12 digs and four aces in a versatile effort.

“Sofie is our unsung hero,” LC coach Kim Grycel said. “She’s everywhere and does everything (including a couple of tricky kill shots in the fourth set comeback).”

Coaches proud

“What I’m really proud of is how our young team re-set themselves after that fourth set loss,” Hoelzle said. “We have Burlington-Edison coming up next Wednesday, so this great preparation.

“What I’m so proud of was that LC really dominated in the first and fourth sets, and we came back so well.”

Big blocks

Kildall and Pelton combined on two huge blocks to give the Golden Eagles a 13-9 lead in the final set setting up kills by Pelton and Kylie Honrud.