By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

The Goessel girls’ volleyball team came to the Inman 2A substate games as the #2 seed out of eight teams.

In the first set against Sterling, the Bluebirds led 6-4 behind the hitting of Elizabeth Aldefer.

Bluebird errors allowed the Blackbears to take a 10-6 lead.

The Bluebirds tied at 10 but then Sterling went on another run getting a five-point lead.

Goessel was behind 23-16, but then scored five consecutive points, with Ciera Nolte scoring several times, but the Blackbears took the first set 25-22.

The fire was ignited and the Bluebirds could not be stopped in the second set.

With Audessi Unruh serving, Goessel scored seven points to take a 15-4 lead.

Then with Savanna Wuest’s jumping serves, the Bluebirds rattled off another six points to take a 22-7 lead. Goessel won 25-8, forcing a third set.

Again, the Bluebirds jumped to a big lead 9-3 with steady play from Stepany Meyer, Rachael Boese, and Bethany Herrel in the front row, and defensive play from Madi Smith and Unruh.

Chloe Smith and Elizabeth Schmucker served well.

Goessel took a commanding lead on a set by Kaleigh Guhr to Meyer 23-12 and Wuest hit an ace serve to win the match 25-16.

The Bluebirds faced Ellsworth in the semifinal match.

The Bluebirds were frustrated with effective blocking by the Bearcats.

Goessel trailed early and got as close as 9-7, but Ellsworth kept extending their lead, taking advantage of Bluebird mistakes to prevail, 25-11.

In the second set, Goessel managed a 6-4 lead, but the Bearcats could not be stopped.

Goessel trailed 13-11 and Ellsworth outscored Goessel 12-3 , ending the Bluebirds’ season with a 25-14 win.

Goessel’s season ended with a 25-13 record.