Staff writer
Goessel’s varsity volleyball team netted a fifth place with all four matches going three sets during Saturday’s Bluebird Invitational at Sedgwick.
The Bluebirds served aggressively, but their risk-taking led to several errors.
Goessel defeated Burrton 26-24, 13-25, 25-14, then followed it up with a loss to Central Christian in three sets, going 15-25, 25-23, 14-25.
Against Moundridge, the Bluebirds lost the first set 18-25. Goessel jumped ahead in the second set 7-1 and held off several Wildcat rallies to win 25-18. Moundridge took command halfway through the third set to win 25-15.
In the fifth-place matchup, Goessel faced Wichita Independent. The Panthers jumped ahead but Goessel tied 18-18. Independent scored the last three points to win 25-21.
The Bluebirds were behind in thesecond set 16-19 when Bethany Herrel slammed for a point. Emily Flaming served an ace and Raechel Boese hit another winner to tie the game 21-21. Chloe Smith served an ace and the Bluebirds finished 25-21.
Lyna McCombs started the Bluebirds in the third set with a kill and Racheal Zogleman served an ace. Goessel jumped ahead 5-1. Elizabeth Aldefer and Elizabeth Schmucker played well from the back row with Makayla Davis serving. The score was tied 16-16 and Kayleigh Guhr served an ace. Boese found an opening for a kill, but the Panthers got as close a 24-22 before Flaming came in to serve an ace to finish the match with a 25-22 win.
Goessel is now 4-4 for the season and will be at Herington on Tuesday to play Little River and Peabody-Burns.