Season ends too soon for GHS volleyball
By DELBERT PETERS
Contributing Writer
The 2006 Goessel Bluebirds may be remembered as the scrappy team that came a match shy of advancing to the Class 1A State Tournament — and as a team that surprised everyone, but the members themselves.
A successful season came to an end Saturday in Madison, when Goessel lost to Olpe, 25-15, 25-20, in the final of the Class 1A sub-state tournament. Goessel began the day with a 25-12, 25-7 victory over Caldwell.
Olpe (34-1) is the top seed of the Class 1A state tournament, which begins Friday in Hays.
Goessel (25-12) advanced to the sub-state tournament by defeating Burrton and Hutchinson Central Christian in regional play this past Tuesday.
In the end, only 32 of the 104 teams survive the 1A regional tournaments; eight go on to state. Goessel proved it could compete with the best.
Senior Kory Hiebert was pleased with the season.
"I didn't really have any expectations for this year," she said, "It was such a new team from last year, we didn't know what to expect."
Courtney Berkholz identified some of the reasons for this year's success, "We get along, practices go well, we are a good team."
The ability to come from behind on Tuesday was summed up by senior Kylee Nikkel, "We've got heart. We are mentally tough."
