Contributing writer
For the second year in a row, the Goessel Volleyball team has gone 8-0 through the regular season in the Wheat State League. Goessel cruised through two victories on Thursday to claim the championship.
In the first match, the Bluebirds dominated Wakefield in wins of 25-8 and 25-10. In the second match, the Bluebirds defeated Hope in closer sets. Set one showed the Bluebirds ability to hold on to a lead and they won, 25-17. In the second set Goessel led 11-9 and then rattled off five points before Hope would score again, then the Bluebirds scored another six consecutive points to take an insurmountable lead 22-10. Goessel defeated Hope with a final score of 25-12.
Goessel’s six seniors have memories of last year when they won the League but got second in the League tournament.
“We have played well against teams in our league this year,” said senior Paige Booton. “We know we can win the tournament, we just have to execute this year,” added D’Ambra Kruger after the match on Thursday.
In a non-league contest Oct. 4, Goessel traveled to Solomon to face the Redskins of Little River and the host school. The Bluebirds trailed Little River 13-12, but then outscored the Redskins 9-1 to coast to a first set win of 25-16. In the second set, Goessel again trailed 8-6 before finding their stride and finished the game winning 25-13.
Against Solomon, the Bluebirds started quickly getting a 10-4 lead and built on the lead to finish set one 25-12. It was almost a repeat in the second set as again the Bluebirds built a 10-4 lead and ended the match ahead 25-11. Booton led the team with 16 kills and 14 digs. Alex Hiebert hit well at the net with 14 kills and Tia Goertzen netted 13 kills. Jessica Harvey led the team with 28 assists and Johanna Hoffman led in digs with 17.
The Bluebirds overall record is now 18-10. Tuesday Goessel will play at Ellinwood with Inman and Saturday the Bluebirds travel to Solomon for the Wheat State League Tournament. Substate for Goessel will be at Centre on Oct. 22.