Staff writer
The Bluebirds have begun this season by winning the Bluebird Invitational Tournament and boosting their record to 9-0.
“Our young players grew up and our experienced players showed leadership today,” coach Crysta Guhr said after the tournament.
The Bluebirds looked comfortable on their home court. Goessel outscored their opponents 250-110 in 10 games.
The Bluebirds began the day at 8:30 am by disarming the Eagles from Canton-Galva 25-4, 25-14. Goessel knocked off Burrton 25-10, 25-7. Then against Sedgwick, Goessel defeated the Cardinals 25-14, 25-14.
The Bluebirds played Halstead in the semi-final match. The score was tied 2-2 as Eden Hiebert began to serve. Goessel scored 13 consecutive points to the delight of the noisy football team cheering on their classmates. The Bluebirds went on to dominate 25-5 in the first set. In the second set, Halstead put up a much more competitive game. The Dragons led 8-7 forcing the Bluebirds to cut down on mistakes. Sophomore Leah Booton went in to serve while the home team pounded 12 consecutive points. Halstead put together a mini rally, getting as close as 21-15 before Goessel ended the match 25-17 with an Alicen Meysing hit.
Sedgwick defeated Wichita Independent in its semifinal game, creating a rematch between the two teams, who have twin sisters as head coaches.
The Bluebirds never trailed in the first set. Page Hiebert appeared unstoppable at the net as hit after hit made it to the floor. Defensively, the Bluebirds were superb, with Brittney Hiebert involved in several blocks.
Goessel’s passes to setter Alyssa Booton made for good sets and the Bluebirds jumped out to a 15-3 lead. Eden Hiebert took her sister’s spot in the front row and rifled more points as the Bluebirds coasted to a 25-11 win.
Sedgwick took a 4-2 lead in the next game. Page Hiebert got several kills, but Sedgwick had an answer and the visitors celebrated a 9-5 lead. With Aleena Cook serving, Eden Hiebert tipped for a point, then smashed another point. Several errors from the Cardinals found the score tied 9-9. The Bluebirds held a slim lead 15-12 when Olivia Duerksen hit a winner and then went to the back line to serve. With an ace by Duerksen and a kill by P Hiebert and several Cardinal errors, Goessel finally enjoyed an eight-point lead. Sedgwick tried to cool the momentum with a time-out, but the Bluebirds surged to 24-14 lead and a Cardinals hit sailed long for the tournament winning point.