Contributing writer
In the first Wheat State League matches, Goessel picked up two wins on Sept. 6.
Against Centre, the Bluebirds coasted to a 25-13 win in the first set. The Cougars hung tough in the second set with Goessel leading 15-14. But Centre got stuck on 15 and the Bluebirds finished the match winning 25-16.
Against Elyria Christian, the Bluebirds trailed 10-4 and then gradually worked back into the match. Goessel began to surge in points with Aimee Flaming serving and the Bluebirds taking advantage of Eagle miscues. Goessel scored seven consecutive points to take a 1 point lead 15-14.
With Tia Goertzen serving and Paige Booton hitting at the net, the Bluebirds scored 7 more consecutive points to win 25-16 in set one.
Goessel held a slim lead 14-12 and although the Bluebirds gained a 5-point advantage, the Eagles would pull within one point, 22-21, before Goessel could finish 25-23.
Goessel tournament
On Saturday, during the Goessel Tournament, the Bluebirds nearly upset state ranked Central Christian in the early match. The Bluebirds led early 12-5, but the Cougars tied the game at 16. Each team would gain the advantage only to have the other team battle back.
Central Christian won set one by a score of 28-26. In the second set, Goessel led 11-6 but the Cougars took advantage of Goessel errors and rattled off 13 consecutive points taking a commanding 19-11 lead.
The match was not over as Goessel rallied and took a lead 25-24. The battle for a 2-point margin ended up with Central Christian winning, 29-27.
Goessel defeated South Haven in two sets, 25-17 and 25-22, and then finished pool play by defeating Flinthills Christian in commanding fashion, 25-5 and 25-9. In bracket play, the Bluebirds faced an athletic team from Halstead but lost 25-22 and 25-18.
For third place Goessel faced the Cardinals from Sedgwick. The Bluebirds lost the first match by 10 points, 25-15, and fought a valiant battle only to lose the second set 26-24. The Bluebirds finished in fourth place and now sport an overall record of 6-4 and a Wheat State League record of 2-0.
Central Christian defeated Halstead for the Championship, Canton Galva defeated South Haven for fifth place and Burrton defeated Flinthills Christian for seventh place.
Goessel played at Peabody on Tuesday with White City.