Marion 2nd at Spikefest
Staff writer
Despite losing some matches, Marion, Hillsboro, and Goessel volleyball continued to compete at a high level last week.
Marion
Marion placed second Saturday in the 16th annual Marion Spikefest.
It was the second tournament the team had played this season and the second time they’d reached the championship game.
Marion beat previously undefeated Eureka team in pool play, but Eureka got revenge in the championship game.
Marion senior setter Calli Burkholder and junior libero Grace Hett were selected for the all-tournament team.
“I am super proud of our volleyball team,” coach Kris Burkholder said. “We played very consistently, served and played the net aggressively, and passed the ball well.”
Marion will face three district teams this month: having played Sterling on Tuesday then facing Remington next Tuesday and Inman on Sept. 29.
Hillsboro
Hillsboro suffered its first loss Sept. 10 against Circle but bounced back with a five-match winning streak and a season record of 13-1.
In a tournament at Southeast of Saline, Hillsboro lost it first pool-play match of the season to Circle but went on the win the championship game against Smoky Valley, 25-20 and 25-13.
“I wasn’t sure how we would respond.” coach Sandy Arnold said. “We really seemed to pull together and got us two nice wins over a tough Beloit team and Smoky Valley team to come back and win the tournament.”
Hillsboro seems to have Smoky Valley’s number this season. The two played again Sept. 13, and Hillsboro won again for the third time this season against state-ranked Smoky Valley.
“It is always hard to beat a team three times in a season, let alone in their home gym,” Arnold said, “but the girls played with a lot of enthusiasm and fire and made some nice adjustments to pick up the win in two games.”
Goessel
The Bluebirds turned in four victories in two league matches.
Goessel defeated Rural Vista in three sets, 22-25, 25-23 and 25-15. They took care of Wakefield in two sets, 25-16 and 25-12. On Thursday at Douglass, Goessel beat Chaparral, 25-12 and 25-18.
Against Douglass, the Bluebirds stayed close in the first set, losing 25-23. Things began clicking in the second set as Goessel built a lead and won, 25-17.
The outcome in the third set looked worrisome as Goessel trailed, 12-10.
The defensive back row, anchored by Ashley Rosfeld, would let few balls hit the floor, and Goessel’s offense responded.
Rylee Walker mixed hard hits with soft tips to give the Bluebirds a 21-17 lead. Brooklyn Wuest connected on a spike, and Alece Lehrman was successful on a block as the Bluebirds won, 25-19.
Goessel is now 8-5 for the season and 3-1 in Wheat State League matches. Goessel was home on Tuesday, with matches against Peabody-Burns and Wichita Classical.
Centre
Centre finished in seventh place at Marion Spikefest after losing in straight sets to Eureka, Berean Academy, and Marion in pool play.
The Cougars defeated Central Christian, 25-21 and 25-18. It was their second victory of the season.
Staff writers Rowena Plett and Delbert Peters contributed to this story.