By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

The Goessel volleyball team got three matches under their belts during the first week of the season and won all three of them. The trip to Hope was full of anticipation as only three letter-winners returned from the successful season last year.

The Bluebirds showed a bit of nervousness as Ell-Saline won the first game by seven points. The Bluebirds fell behind in the second game, trailing 17-21. They came from behind to nip the Cardinals, 25-23.

In game three, “The Bluebirds hit their stride”, coach Crysta Guhr said.

The Bluebirds pulled away to win the match, 25-13.

Too many errors against Hope kept the first game closer than it should have been, but Goessel dominated the second game taking advantage of errors on the other side of the net to win, 25-20, 25-8.

In the third match of the evening, the Bluebirds rolled to a first-game win against Elyria Christian, 25-12. In the second game the score was tied at 12, but the Bluebirds then dominated to win, 25-14.

Aimee Flaming led the team in assists with 28 and Jennifer Van Horn took advantage of several sets to record 19 kills. Van Horn also collected 10 blocks in the three matches.

GHS athletes were feted for their serving — Tia Goertzen served 34 of 35 attempts with five aces and Makaila Schmidt recorded 10 aces.

The Bluebirds are now 3-0 for the young season and returned to action Tuesday at Elyria and then host the Bluebird tournament Saturday at Goessel.