Bluebirds eye return to state

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 30 August 2011 16:59

Goessel High School volleyball letter-winners and seniors for the 2011-12 season are: front row (from left), Nicole Bartel, Aimee Flaming, Jessica Harvey, Johanna Hoffman, Tia Goertzen; back row, Sam Jarvis, Alex Hiebert, MaKaila Schmidt, D’Ambra Kruger, Paige Booton.

The Goessel Bluebird volleyball team hopes to build on last year’s success as Class 1A Division 1 sub-state champions behind seventh-year coach Crysta Guhr.

Last year the team posted a 26-14 season record.

“The Bluebirds will defend their Wheat State League title this season with a large group of experienced upperclassmen,” Guhr said.

The Bluebirds return five seniors: defensive specialist Nicole Bartel, outside hitter Paige Booten, setter Aimee Flaming, outside hitter Saman­tha Jarvis and outside hitter Makaila Schmidt.

Juniors Tia Goertzen, Jessica Harvey and Alex Hiebert also return as outside hitter, setter and defensive specialist, respectively.

The Bluebirds also have some promising newcomers in first-year senior D’Ambra Kruger and junior Johanna Hoffman.

They will depend on that experience when they hit the road in a tough league.

“Little River should prove to be a top contender in the league,” Guhr said. “Tourna­ment play will remain tough throughout the season with many state-caliber opponents, including Central Christian, Sedgwick, Halstead, Olpe and Hesston.”

Goessel was scheduled to start its regular season Aug. 30 at Ell Saline. Those two schools will be joined by Hope and Elyria.