Goessel volleyball wins close matches

By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

The Goessel volleyball team played up in class in non-league contests against two 3A schools at Moundridge last week and came away with its record unblemished.

The Bluebirds defeated Sedgwick for a second time this season. Falling behind 11-7, Goessel rallied with Brittney Hiebert, Eden Hiebert, and Leah Booton pounding winners. Goessel led 19-18, with Audessi Unruh serving. Cierra Nolte smacked a winner and Booton finished the game with a kill as Goessel won 25-20.

In the second set, Goessel led 16-15 and caught fire after a time-out. Stephany Meyer, Brittney Hiebert, Eden Hiebert, and Booton all hit winners. Savanna Wuest continued to set a variety of players on the front row and Nolte had the winning blast, giving Goessel a 25-21 win.

The second match was a battle between undefeateds coming off state tournament appearances last year. Goessel finished second at state in 1A-Division I and Douglass placed fourth in 3A.

With a flurry of points from Kara Burkholder serving, Booton and Brittney Hiebert pushed Goessel to a 12-6 lead. Eden Hiebert snuck in two serving aces, but Douglass scored 11 points before Goessel finished the game with a Booton hit, 25-17.

The Bulldogs fought back to tie the match with a 25-21 win in the second set.

Goessel raced to a 19-9 lead in the third set, but the Bulldogs went on a 10-1 run to trim the Goessel lead to 20-19. A block from Meyer and Eden Hiebert gave the Bluebirds a 24-20 lead. Douglass found a way to pound its way to a 24-24 tie. A hit out of bounds by the Bulldogs and a Booton score gave Goessel a 26-24 win and match victory.

Goessel, 13-0, returned to league play Tuesday against Little River and Solomon at Wakefield. The Bluebirds will participate in a competitive round robin tournament at Olpe on Saturday.