“We really want to play on Saturday”is team goal.
Contributing writer
The Goessel High School volleyball team demonstrated good intensity as they earned their way to the state tournament next weekend.
Goessel faced Burrton in their first match on Saturday, and, although the first part of the first set was close, the Bluebirds left no doubt in the last part of the game, out-scoring the Chargers 17-2 to win easily 25-8. D’Ambra Kruger scored with several well-placed tips and Paige Booton powered down several spikes.
In the second set the Bluebirds played tough getting ahead 6-3 with Tia Goertzen and Makaila Schmidt doing the damage, forcing a Burrton timeout at 15-10. At the 20-16 margin, Alex Hiebert connected on a quick set from Jessica Harvey, then went back to serve and the Bluebirds claimed the semi-final victory 25-17.
For the third time this season, Goessel and Centre met on the volleyball court. Although Centre scored the first two points, Schmidt and Booton began a hitting frenzy and the Bluebirds jumped out to an 8-2 lead.
Goertzen hit several sizzlers, one from the back row, and Hiebert tipped one for a score. Aimee Flaming went out of bounds and to the floor for two digs and Kruger was able to seal a hard hit from the middle position for a 25-16 win.
Centre stayed close in the second set. With the score 9-7 Goessel in the lead, the Bluebirds rotated well as a team and gradually built a 16-11 lead causing Centre to call time-out. The Bluebirds were able to score five consecutive points and jump out to a 23-13 lead. The game ended with several hard hits that the Cougars were not able to handle and Goessel won the match 25-16.
For the second year in a row, Goessel will be heading to the state tournament at Hays. Several of the seniors on the Bluebird team are suiting up for their third state tournament.
“We really want to play on Saturday at the state tournament,” senior Makaila Schmidt said.
That goal was echoed by many on the team. In several of their last appearances at state, the Bluebirds have been disappointed with their performance going 0-3 in pool play.
“I am going to remind them that they have experience at this level where others may not,” head coach Crysta Guhr said.
“We know what to expect,” senior Paige Booton said.
“We really want to play better than we have in the past.” Senior Aimee Flaming said. “It’s amazing going back to state again, we know there is going to be tough competition, but playing together as a team should help us do well.”
“The state tournament is the best of the best and we are excited to be there,” senior D’Ambra Kruger added.
Goessel’s record is 29-10 and they will be the sixth seed in the 1A division 1 state tournament. Opening ceremonies will be around 7:45 a.m. on Friday with Goessel’s first game expected to be around 9:30 a.m.