Staff writer
The 2015 volleyball season got off to a good start for the Bluebirds in non-league games Tuesday.
“We started a little shaky in the first match. We did not serve very aggressive,” coach Crysta Guhr said.
Goessel won 25-10, 25-12 against Ell Saline; and 25-18, 25-16 against Haven.
In the first match, the Bluebirds fell behind to start the set, but a Brittney Hiebert kill gave Goessel a 6-5 lead. The front row pounded out many points and the back row kept getting passes to the setter. Libero Aleena Cook stretched for a number of hits.
Olivia Duerksen and Page Hiebert connected on a block and the momentum was in the Bluebirds’ favor. Page and Eden Hiebert knocked home points as the Bluebirds won 25-10.
Alicen Meysing and Brittney Hiebert stopped a ball at the net to help Goessel to a 6-4 lead in the second game. Shelby Stultz served effectively and the Bluebirds jumped out to a 13-5 lead. With the Cardinals stuck at 12 points, the Bluebirds coasted to a 25-12 final score.
Against Haven, Goessel stumbled to a 6-3 lead as the Wildcats hit several spikes for scores, but at 8-3, Haven called timeout, trying to regroup. The strategy worked as the visitors got as close as 9-7.
Good defense and a consistent power game propelled the Bluebirds to a 17-11 lead, and Haven took another timeout. Goessel kept the pressure on as Page Hiebert and Eden Hiebert hit winners from the left side. Duerksen, Brittney Hiebert, and Meysing put up a formidable defense and the back row of Cook, and Leah Booton stood in front of many Wildcat hits for returns. Goessel coasted to a 25-18 lead.
In the second set, Goessel jumped out to a 9-3 lead, only to see Haven score five consecutive points. With Page Hiebert serving, the Bluebirds built a 15-8 lead and maintained that advantage to the end of the set, winning 25-16.
Tuesday at Centre
Goessel won both games of a triangular meet Tuesday at Centre.
Goessel beat Elyria Christian 25-14, 25-11, and looked energetic in a dominating 25-7, 25-7 sweep of Centre to close the night.
Goessel will host the Bluebird Invitational on Saturday with eight schools competing.