Goessel volleyball team qualifies for state
By DELBERT PETERS
Sports writer
The volleyball season ended for 100 teams in 1A, but for eight teams there is still one more weekend tournament.
Goessel High School Bluebirds will be one of those eight teams. At the Madison gym Saturday, Goessel's opponent was South Haven.
The Bluebirds were victorious against the team from southern Kansas earlier in the year winning in a three-game battle. In Saturday's contest Goessel also won in three games 25-27, 25-18, 25-19.
The come-from-behind victory allowed the Bluebirds to play in the championship match against Marais des Cygnes Valley. Goessel settled that match in two games 25-22, 25-19.
"All the players really stepped up today and played well," head coach Crysta Guhr said.
Goessel served well for the day with several girls at 100 percent: Brianna Unrau 32-32 with three aces, Rinda Duerksen 26-26 and one ace, and Brittany Voth 13-13 with one ace.
Kory Hiebert dominated at the net with 30 kills and 17 blocks. Courtney Berkholz came up with 18 kills and 15 digs.
The Bluebirds go into the 1A state tournament in Hays with a record of 23-11 and have been seeded eighth.
Opening ceremonies begin at 7:45 a.m. Friday with the Bluebirds' first game against Axtell (32-1) at 8:30 a.m., Sharon Springs (33-5) at 11:30 a.m. and Baileyville B&B (31-5) at 1:30 p.m. The top two teams from this pool will play Saturday.
The Bluebird volleyball team traveled to Rosalia for their 1A regional volleyball tournament. Six teams were seeded in this tournament and because the Bluebirds received the number two seed, they were granted a bye for the first round. Burrton defeated Hamilton to advance to the semifinal game with Goessel.
The Bluebirds defeated Burrton soundly earlier in the season and again dominated the first game 25-16, and pulled out the match with a second game win 25-21. Flint Hills, the number one team in the state according to the Wichita Eagle, capitalized on Bluebird mistakes to take the championship match 25-21, 25-19.
Courtney Berkholz ended the day with 20 kills and eight blocks. Kory Hiebert totaled 13 kills and 14 digs. Sarah Unruh hit three aces while serving 15- 16, Brianna Unrau was perfect from the serving line getting 21-21 in play. Hiebert was 13-14 serving. Brittany Voth connected on 20 assists and Unrau had 13.
