By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

The Goessel Bluebirds faced some stiff competition but still rolled to an unblemished record as they won their own invitational tournament Saturday.

The Bluebirds opened with a dominating performance against Central Christian, winning 25-2 and 25-3, then cruised against South Haven, winning both sets with identical 25-13 scores.

The competition got more intense when the Bluebirds faced Halstead in the last pool play match.

Goessel jumped ahead 6-0, but the Dragons grabbed the lead 9-7, and the rest of the match was tough. Tied at 18, a block by Stephany Meyer gave the Bluebirds needed momentum. An ace serve from Audessi Unruh put the Bluebirds ahead 24-19.

But Halstead scored four unanswered points before Brittney Hiebert finished the game with a quick hit from the middle. The Bluebirds won the first set 25-23.

In the second set, Halstead scored first, but the Bluebirds were soon in control. Eden Hiebert pummeled several sets from Savanna Wuest to go up 13-7. Kara Burkholder served an ace and Leah Booton finished well to maintain the lead, 17-10. Cierra Nolte finished the game with a tip to an empty spot on the floor, giving the Bluebirds a 25-15 win. Goessel advanced to the finals to face Sedgwick.

“We face some quality teams in this tournament,” said coach Crysta Guhr. “Halstead and Sedgwick are good tests for us.”

This was reported to be a battle among friends, as many of the Sedgwick and Goessel girls play on the same team during club volleyball season.

The Cardinals scored first, but Goessel massaged an 8-4 lead. Sedgwick tied the game at 14, but when Goessel forged ahead 17-14 the Cardinals called time out. A block by Brittney Hiebert sparked the Bluebirds to a three-point lead. Goessel accumulated points on hard hits from Eden Hiebert and Booton. Madison Smith passed well and Wuest set the hitters as the Bluebirds managed a 25-19 win.

In the final set, with the score tied at 9, Goessel squeaked out a 13-10 lead, forcing the Cardinals to call time out.

Whatever happened in the huddle inspired Sedgwick to grab the lead, 15-14, and Goessel called time out.

The score was knotted at 18 when Unruh dished up an ace serve. Nolte hit for a point, and Eden Hiebert continued to hit hard, keeping Sedgwick on their heels. A block by Nolte gave the Bluebirds a 23-19 lead. The Bluebirds finished the game 25-20 to claim the championship.

Coach Guhr got production from every player on the court.

“These girls work hard, they know their roles on this team, and that makes us tough,” Guhr said.

Goessel played at home Tuesday before embarking on seven consecutive road outings.