Trojans, Bluebirds win sub-state tourneys
Staff writers
Win or go home was the name of the game Saturday in sub-state volleyball action, and two county teams chose to win and celebrate.
Hillsboro swept Sedgwick and Moundridge in straight sets to be crowned Class 2A sub-state champions.
Against Moundridge in the championship game, Lauryn Vogt led with 12 kills. Kingzley Ratzlaff had 10.
“Reese Duerksen and Talia Jost came up with some kills in some very crucial moments,” coach Sandy Arnold said.
Ella Potucek ran the offense, dishing out 17 assists.
Vogt and Amyah Werth each had 14 digs, and Ratzlaff added 11.
“Many others contributed defensively as well,” Arnold said. “It was a total team win. “I think the girls were confident in our game plan, saw the success as we played, and then trusted it when things got tough. We never went away from it.
“We have talked about playing consistently no matter the score, the opponent, or the point in the match. And last night (Saturday) we did just that — just kept fighting through it, one point at a time — and we withstood the runs Moundridge made.”
The Trojans will travel Friday to Dodge City to start state pool play.
They are scheduled to play at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. against Humboldt, Ellinwood, and Rossville.
Hillsboro is seeded fifth out of eight teams. The top two from each pool will move on to play Saturday.
Goessel
For the first time in eight years, Goessel will be playing in a state volleyball tournament.
In the first set at sub-state Saturday, Canton-Galva held the lead for the first 12 points, but the Bluebirds went on an 8-1 run to coast to a 25-19 win.
In the second set, the Bluebirds showed their power with Delaney Duerksen and Bella O’Neill hitting from the left side and Isabelle Alderfer hitting from the right.
Goessel defeated Canton Galva, 25-14, to advance to the finals against host school Flint Hills.
The first set was tied at 10 when Goessel scored five points in a row, eventually winning 25-16.
The Bluebirds never led by more than five points in the second set. Fans cheered in nervous anticipation as the Mustangs got as close as 23-21.
On good passes from the back row and sets from Jenna Flaming, Duerksen hit two winning shots for the Bluebirds to win, 25-22.
“I am extremely proud of this team,” relieved coach Crysta Guhr said.
In the starting rotation are three freshmen and two sophomores.
“They have no idea how special it is to go to state,” Guhr said. “They have no idea what to expect at Dodge City.
“All they know — and they said it in their huddle during a final last timeout — is ‘We’re not done yet.’ ”
Senior Haley Rosfeld reflected on the season.
“What we had to do this season was to learn and build connections as a team,” she said. “Now we need to just go and win and see what happens.”
Goessel will begin play at 10 a.m. Thursday against Centralia. Eight teams are in the tournament. The top four will advance to play Saturday.