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Gallery: Nooksack Valley volleyball punches ticket to state

November 3, 2023 1:42 am

Nooksack Valley celebrates scoring a point as they yell and reach to embrace one another. — Nooksack Valley celebrates the point that punched the team's ticket to state Thursday, Nov. 2. The Pioneers beat Lynden Christian 3-1 in the loser-out, winner-to-state match. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Nooksack Valley sophomore pin hitter Kaydin Thompsen hugs another teammate as other players around her celebrate next to them. — Nooksack Valley sophomore pin hitter Kaydin Thompsen, right, hugs freshman middle blocker Lily Lohrer as the team celebrates the win. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Nooksack Valley celebrates a point as they smile and reach to hold her. — Nooksack Valley celebrates a point by senior middle blocker Tana Hoekema (11). (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Lynden Christian head coach Kristy VanEgdom shields a serve call with the side of her vest. — Lynden Christian head coach Kristy VanEgdom shields a serve call with her vest. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Nooksack Valley senior middle blocker Tana Hoekema holds up her fingers as a signal behind the volleyball net. — Nooksack Valley senior middle blocker Tana Hoekema gives a signal before a serve. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Audrey Ellingboe shrugs as another player walks up behind her and spectators watch from the sidelines. — Lynden Christian junior libero Audrey Ellingboe shrugs off a Nooksack Valley point. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Tana Hoekema hits the ball over the net around Lynden Christian's blockers who are tiptoeing to try and block. — Nooksack Valley senior middle blocker Tana Hoekema hits the ball around Lynden Christian's blockers. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Lynden Christian sophomore setter Ella Fritts (3) tips the ball past Nooksack Valley sophomore middle blocker Grace DeHoog (13). — Lynden Christian sophomore setter Ella Fritts (3) tips the ball past Nooksack Valley sophomore middle blocker Grace DeHoog (13). (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Etta DeJong slips a spike between the antenna and Nooksack Valley's blockers who are leaping to try and block the shot. — Lynden Christian sophomore outside hitter Etta DeJong slips a spike between the antenna and Nooksack Valley's blockers. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Cailyn Likkel prepares to serve as a crowd of spectators watch from the bleachers, one of which is holding up a sign of her face. — Nooksack Valley senior rightside hitter Cailyn Likkel prepares to serve. A cutout of her head is held up behind her. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Lynden Christian converges on a ball that got tipped out of bounds as other players rush to help. — Lynden Christian converges on a ball that got tipped out of bounds on what would be one of the last points of the match. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Nooksack Valley defeated Lynden Christian in the Northwest Conference 2A volleyball finale in four sets Thursday, Nov. 2. The Pioneers move on to the state tournament after ending the Lyncs’ season.