By DELBERT PETERS

Sports writer

Goessel faced some stiff competition this week in volleyball games and ended up 1-1 in league play, and 5-0 on their way to winning the Olpe Round Robin Tournament.

Moundridge was the competition in the first match Tuesday at Brookville. The Wildcats took command in set one, leading 14-7 half way through the contest and finishing the game, 25-13.

In set two, the game was close, with ties at 7-7. Goessel managed to grab a 12-10 lead, but Moundridge would gain the advantage, 16-14. After a Goessel timeout, the Bluebirds outscored the Wildcats, 6-1, and nursed two-and three-point leads the rest of the game, winning 25-21.

In the final set of the match, Moundridge was able to build a 11-6 lead, but the Bluebirds still had a rally. With Paige Booten serving, Goessel grabbed a 15-14 lead, forcing Moundridge to call a timeout. Goessel fell behind 17-21 and failed to put together a game-winning surge, losing the set, 21-25.

 For the fourth time this season, the Bluebirds faced home team, Ell-Saline. The Bluebirds fell behind early, 3-6, but then managed a 16-14 lead and methodically increased their lead, winning 25-18.

Goessel started the second set grabbing a 10-5 lead, and led 13-12 in the middle of the set. With Jennifer Van Horn serving, Goessel scored seven straight points and took the momentum all the way to the end of the game winning, 25-14.

At the Olpe Tournament on Saturday, Goessel faced a strong Central Christian team in the first match. Set one found the Bluebirds trailing, 8-12, before Goessel picked up some momentum to tie the score, 18-18.

The Cougars grabbed a 21-19 lead, but this time the Goessel girls rebounded and outscored Central Christian, 6-1, to finish the first set 25-22. 

The second game was close for the most part, with Kendra Flaming serving and Goessel leading 17-16, the Bluebirds scored four straight points. Central Christian gradually fought their way back into the game, tying the score at 25-25, before Goessel muscled out a 28-26 win. 

Goessel coasted through games with Northern Heights, winning 25-16, 25-13. In the first set with Peabody, Goessel led 15-9, but couldn’t close the door as Peabody came back to win, 25-23.

The Bluebirds finished strong in the second set, outscoring the Warriors 8-2 late in the set to win, 25-17. In the third set, the Bluebirds took a commanding lead and won 25-11.

Against Marias Des Cygnes Valley, Goessel won in methodical fashion — 25-17, 25-17.

Host school Olpe was the final match of the day. Goessel held a slim lead at 14-12, but then piled on the points taking a 22-14 lead and holding on to win the first set 25-17. 

In the second set Olpe managed to gain the advantage, 18-15, but a determined group of Bluebirds tied the score at 19-19 and won first place in the tournament with a 25-21 win.

Karis Janzen and Van Horn had 15 blocks each. Janzen led the team with 39 kills followed by Aspen Frey with 34. Jessica Goertzen had 119 assists on the day and Karina Harvey led the team with 33 digs.

Goessel JV team also ended the day at 5-0, winning first place in the JV tournament at Olpe. 

The Bluebirds’ record is 19-6 overall and 4-3 in Heart of America League. 

Goessel will be at Peabody Tuesday night, in HOA league action.