Sports writer
The Goessel High School volleyball team took fourth place Saturday at its home invitational.
The Bluebirds lost to Sedgwick, but came back to beat Halstead and South Haven, and finished second in pool play.
Goessel tangled with a tough Central Christian team in bracket play, fell behind 15-9, and never could get the lead back.
The Bluebirds lost 25-19.
Game two was closer, but GHS lost 25-23.
Against Remington, Goessel appeared to be tired and made some mistakes it normally avoids.
They lost game one 25-18 and game two 25-21.
The team began Heart of America League play Sept. 9, playing host to Canton-Galva, Bennington, and Hutchinson Trinity.
The Bluebirds found their stroke in game two against Canton-Galva.
Goessel won the match 22-25, 25-18, 25-23.
The Bulldogs from Bennington struggled against the Bluebird attack and Goessel won 25-7, 25-9.
Against Hutchinson Trinity, the Bluebirds were successful, winning 25-18, 11-25, 25-18.
“We went all last season without an upset win — and to get one so early this season was like a huge burden lifted off of us,” coach Crysta Guhr said of the Hutch Trinity victory.
The coach cited great play from Jessica Goertzen with 50 assists, Karina Harvey had 32 digs, Rinda Duerksen led with 19 kills, Karis Janzen blocked 10 attacks, and Amy Brubaker came up with several kills that changed the momentum late in game three against Trinity.
After last week’s games, the Bluebirds are now 3-0 in the League and 8-3 overall.
Goessel was at Inman with Remington Tuesday, and will play Saturday at the Tescott invitational.