Contributing writer
At the Wheat State League tournament Saturday in Peabody, Goessel prevailed as the tournament champions accompanying their regular season title.
The Bluebirds won their first match against White City, 25-10 and 25-16. Elyria Christian put up a fight in the first set, 25-20, but the Bluebirds dominated the second set to win, 25-10.
The Bluebirds defeated Little River for the fifth time this season, 25-13 and 25-12. In the semi-final match, Peabody led, 19-18. The Warriors increased their lead to 22-19, but a serving ace by Johanna Hoffman tied the game at 22 and seemed to be the momentum changer that allowed Goessel to escape with the win, 25-22. Goessel then controlled the second set, 25-13.
In the championship match with Centre, the Bluebirds started strong and finished, 25-15 and 25-13.
The volleyball team won two matches and then lost a nail-biter against 2A schools on Oct. 9. Although plagued with some uncharacteristic errors, the Bluebirds prevailed against Little River, 25-15 and 25-14.
With Jessica Harvey setting to everyone in the front row in the match against Inman, the Bluebirds had many winners from Tia Goertzen, Alex Hiebert, Page Hiebert, and Erin Brubaker. Goessel got ahead, 16-6, as Johanna Hoffman’s soft serve fell in for an ace. The Teutons fought their way back into the game getting as close as 21-19. Goertzen hit another missile and Harvey served an ace forcing an Inman timeout. Errors by the Teutons allowed the Bluebirds to win, 25-19. In the second set Goessel rushed to a 17-3 lead and defeated the visitors, 25-11.
Against Ellinwood, the Bluebirds got behind, 13-11. Great defense allowed the Bluebirds to tie at 16. Alex Hiebert hit a winner from the right side, Goertzen from the left, and Page Hiebert served two winners as Goessel won the first set, 25-19. The second set was close throughout. Goessel came from several points down to tie the score at 20, but the Eagle defense allowed Ellinwood to take the game, 25-22.
In the third game, the Bluebirds jumped ahead 12-9, forcing an Eagle timeout. Goessel felt a little more comfortable with a 17-12 lead. Goertzen and Brubaker scored on hits to give Goessel a 21-15 lead. An inspirational point for the Eagles seemed to turn the momentum as Ellinwood scored five consecutive points. Goessel still had the lead, 23-21, but the Eagles snatched the match with a flurry of points, winning 26-24.
Goessel is now 27-9 going into 1A sub-state play at Rosalia on Saturday.