Sports writer
The Goessel High School volleyball team accumulated five more victories this past week and a second-place finish at Olpe in a six-team, round robin tournament.
The Goessel JV team also earned a second place finish.
The Bluebirds played host Sept. 23 to Ell-Saline and Moundridge for Heart of America League games.
For the third time this season, the Bluebirds defeated Ell-Saline.
“It is never easy to beat one team three times in one season,” GHS head coach Crysta Guhr said.
Goessel stayed focused and won by scores of 25-15, 25-15.
Against Moundridge, the Bluebirds struggled with their passing game.
“Lots of credit to Moundridge, but we were not able to get a good enough pass up to run the type of offense we needed to against them,” Guhr said. Moundridge defeated Goessel 25-17, 25-14.
In their last Saturday tournament for the regular season, the Bluebirds showed poise and confidence.
They defeated Northern Heights 25-16, 25-13, but lost to Central Christian for the second time this year 25-16, 25-27.
Goessel had to turn right around and face Olpe. The Bluebirds won in three games 25-22, 21-25, 25-21.
Marais de Cygnes Valley posed no problem as the Bluebirds won 25-18, 25-8, but the Bluebirds ended the day with a three-game match with cross county rival Peabody.
Goessel won 25-20, 22-25, 25-10.
Since Olpe defeated Central Christian, the tiebreaker rules had to be used for the three-way tie for first place, and Goessel was awarded second place.
Guhr credited Karis Janzen with a productive day.
“Karis led in both kills and blocks (42 and 21),” Guhr said. “She was a huge spark off the bench for us when we needed it. She came through big today.”
Goessel is now 5-2 in the HOA league and 19-6 overall.