Eagles Nip Bluebirds In Final Home Match
Varsity Volleyball @ Goessel Tuesday October 9 2012
At home in the season finale quad with 2A teams Ellinwood, Little River and Inman, Goessel dispatched the Redskins and Teutons but could not close on the Ellinwood Eagles. Goessel and Little River have played four times this season and are scheduled to play again at the Wheat State League Tournament this Saturday. The Bluebirds won this meeting with the Redskins 25-15 and 25-14 on hitting from Tia Goertzen and Page Hiebert. Against Inman, Goessel went up 16-6 before the Teutons sounded the charge and came back to 21-19 before the ‘Blue were able to finish with four straight at 25-19. In the 2nd , the Bluebirds showed strong, going up 17-3 before closing 25-11 on nice hitting from Alex Hiebert. Inman had taken Ellinwood to three games earlier, and each set of the Goessel match with the Eagles also was a thriller. Goessel prevailed 25-19 in the first but was never ahead the entire second set which closed 22-25. In the deciding 3rd contest, it appeared the ‘Blue were on a roll going to 21-15, but could not close out the set and lost a disappointing nail-biter 24-26.
Goessel v. Little River
The Bluebirds used a 13-3 run midway through the first set to contain the Little River Redskins for the 4th time this year. Highlights came from Alex Hiebert, Tia Goertzen, Page Hiebert and Erin Brubaker hitting from all across the net. Alicen Meysing had a fine down block to leave it at 8-6. The Bluebirds showed some nice serving touches and the first set closed 25-15. Replaying the first, the Bluebirds kept the pressure on, kept the variety meter turned up, and looked to keep unforced errors down. On several long rallies, the ‘Blue unfortunately did not prevail; winning the contested rallies is something we all want to see happen to build confidence and morale. Tia Goertzen and Page Hiebert connected often and well in this set. Alex had a nice power move stroke and a perfect middle hit and Meysing pounded one off a pretty quick set in the middle. The 2nd set closed 25-14.
Goessel v. Inman
Momentum changes characterized the first set with the Inman Teutons. Goessel went up 5-2 off nice finishes from Page, Erin, Alex and Tia. Errors at both ends left it at 9-5 when the ‘Blue went on a 7-1 run. Johanna Hoffman caressed a soft marshmallow for an ace and Inman called time down 13-6. Alex pounded then tipped and Jo found the hardwood with another perfect soft serve to lead 16-6. Lydia Balzer then brought the Teutons to their feet with three consecutive blocks, the score to 16-12 and Goessel called time. Alex Hiebert took the air out of the Teuton triumph with a perfect middle block (and a banshee yell) and several more kills made it look like it was all over at 20-15. Inman seized the moment and found several nice strokes, going on a 4-1 run and Goessel called time up 21-19. Out of the time, Tia found just the right motion and pummeled one from the left, Jessica Harvey stroked an ace and the Teutons called time at 23-19. Inman committee two closing errors and the ‘Blue pulled it out 25-19. Page Hiebert had four kills and Alex hit one in the middle for a nice 7-0 start in the 2nd. Alex had a middle block and a nice roll to the right and after two more Harvey aces Inman called time down 17-3. Goessel looked convincing in this one taking the Teutons 25-11.
Goessel v. Ellinwood
Six lead changes in the first set the tone for the contest with Ellinwood. Erin found the range from the right but three nice Eagle kills left the ‘Blue down 3-5. With Page serving Goessel brought it back to 7-5 and with both teams looking tentative and yielding unearned points it went to 10-9. On three more errors, Goessel called time down 11-13 and Page ignited the Bluebird effort with an outstanding crosscourt shot at 13-15. On one of the best rallies of the night, Goessel saved with a “pancake” and tied at 16-16 on great back row gets, hustle and chatter. Alex kept the ‘big mo’ in gear with a power move to the right and the Eagles called time down 18-16. In a stunning series of highlights, Alex finished on the right, Tia from the left, #18 tipped in the middle /right and Page zinged two aces into the Eagle aerie to polish off an excellent finish 25-19. The Eagles summoned everything they had in the 2nd set and would not fly away. At 15-17 Jessica Harvey answered at the net with a new “head to head” blocking technique and was credited with a unique but successful block. Goessel tied at 20-20 but otherwise never found the lead in the 2nd and closed 22-25 on savvy Eagle hustle. The ‘Blue came out strong in the third, leading 3-0 but after three errors it was knotted at 3. Alex tipped magnificently in the middle but it looked like both teams were playing tired as the night wore on. With spectacular gets off inspired hustle, Tia finished two from the left and one from the right to go up 9-8 and Page inflicted pain with a magnificent rocket from the left. Alex smacked one off a perfect Harvey middle set and Jo laid another service ace in the scorebook. Ellinwood called time at 12-9. Page shook the league signs on the wall with two scintillating shots from the left and the right but again the Eagles were able to pull out a long rally point win. Off a quick set, Alex dropped a perfect middle hit and Page walloped an ace to go up 17-12 and it looked like this one was in the deep freeze. Playmaker Sophie Hayes kept coming at the Bluebirds, however. Alex stung the Eagles down the line on the right then dropped an incredible soft landing service ace to go up 19-13. With kills from Tia and Erin, the Eagles called time down 21-15. Out of the timeout, in a key point, Ellinwood had several incredible digs, the Bluebirds just couldn’t close, and the Eagles came out inspired with point #16. On two kills, a block and a Goessel error in net in two minutes it was back to 21-20 and Goessel was forced to call time. Goessel found the range from the right and went up 23-21 but seemed tentative and the Eagles continued to work. After two more kills and some miscommunications the Eagles were soaring at 23-24 and Goessel called its final time. A huge middle block from Alex felt like a game changer at 24-24, but middle hitter Kelsea Ward found an opening and slammed one down to go 24-25 and the Bluebirds saw it slip away 24-26. This one definitely got away.
Best wishes at the Wheat State League tournament and at Sub-State!
Tonight’s matches had periods where the Bluebirds put it all together. Service selection, location, and levels of aggressiveness matched the moment’s needs. Setting seemed to be mixed well and again the defense was solid picked up some incredible shots from the Eagle front line. Goessel had some nice blocks and blocking opportunities. For the most part Goessel made its opponents earn their points rather than giving up huge numbers of unearned points…. Goessel cannot give up any points on mental mistakes if the team is to succeed at sub-state. Winning long rallies will be a game changer; never give up! This team plays very well when in rhythm and on a high; movement and communication are absolutes for the Bluebirds in being able to stay on a high rather than getting caught in a morass of the unknown. This is a well-coached team with a will to win. Digging deeper than ever at sub-state will be a delight to team members and to all Bluebird fans!
At other times, Goessel did not pass as well as they are able and appeared tentative in “sealing the deal.” At times, confusion prevailed and easy balls dropped. Focus and closing out contests will be key in the post season and hopefully tonight’s competitive sets will be instructive.
Parents of team members were introduced on parent night. Goessel’s seniors were specially recognized . Congratulations to those seniors who have been such key ingredients to the success of Goessel volleyball: Johanna Hoffman, Jessica Harvey, Tia Goertzen, and Alex Hiebert. Martina Fillipe was also recognized as a team senior.
