Eureka Ups and Downs
Goessel Volleyball @ Eureka with Eureka and Remington September 18, Thursday, 2014
Eureka’s Flint Hills venue provides a fitting preview of what Goessel will face in next week’s Olpe Invitational: Action in two courts side by side, lots of noise, plenty of blocking and competitive teams ready to go hard. Against two 3A opponents tonight, the Bluebirds experienced some highs and some lows in the first set of each match, but pulled together strong to hold each opponent to a baker’s dozen in the second. Goessel defeated host Eureka 25-19, 25-13 and Remington 25-23, 25-14. Goessel remains undefeated and still maintains a record of no matches going to three.
Goessel v. Eureka Tornadoes
Eureka’s senior hitter Lexie Herb led the Tornadoes to a strong start 0-3 before Page found the range on a blast that rolled all the way south to the Eureka Downs track. The Eureka coach drove Goessel fans and coach into stiff lipped anguish with what seemed like stalling tactics, delaying the game five minutes discussing rotation/position with the down ref. Down 2-5, Page drilled a vornado then Eden pulverized three unplayable serves/aces. Off a slow motion “I can’t believe how she did that” arc-set from Alyssa, Page met the sphere in perfect conjunction for the 5-0 run 8-5 lead. Goessel went to 10-7 on Tornado errors, then Page slalomed an ace into Hiebert Corner and Alicen flabbergasted one in the middle. Goessel softened and the Tornadoes stormed back to tie 12-12 and Coach Guhr called time. Makayla sporting #22 had a great get but the Tornadoes took the lead 13-14 on an ace from quality Freshman Dehlinger. Alicen tipped to tie, Herb killed, and Erin walloped a thunderous ace in the deep middle to retake the lead 16-15. Eureka called time. This one looked like anyone’s as both teams tussled to and fro at 17 each. Page lit up the skyline, Goessel notched a highlight roof, Alyssa smacked a laser guided dive bomb service ace and Page blocked to go to 22-17. Eureka time. Page smacked left, Alyssa blasted another incredible flamacchio acio and Goessel won with two a Tornado service error 25-19.
In fits and starts, the ‘Blue looked super strong up front with three blocking winners to go up 4-3. Again the hosts stayed in it, tying at 6 then taking a 6-7 lead on a ‘Bird error. Erin poked and Makayla came to the line, throwing out un-retrievable Mak missiles to go on a 5-0 run and Eureka called time. Alicen fairlyshimmered after a polished whack in the middle and Goessel gained huge momentum on a spectacular Page Pancake to save, which Goessel hoisted back for the 14-8 lead. Again, the Eureka coach appeared to try to slow the pace of play with a two minute rotation discussion. Gentry served a three point run stretching to 16-8 and the Tornadoes looked like they had lost their whirl. Alyssa and Olivia dual blocked and Erin flicked to the short corner for the 18-9 lead. Olivia put the hang time out there and Page plastered one all the way to the town of Reece, several miles to the west. Erin’s ace was called out to leave it at 20-10 (in a closer contest the fans would not have been happy). Page flummoxed one crosscourt,finding a wide open acreage to go up 23-11. Senior Didi Mouer attempted to bring hope to the twister faithful with three straight kills, but Erin would have none of it and finished with another crosscourt zinger that finished in nearby downtown Neal, Kansas. 25-13.
Erin Brubaker
Senior Erin Brubaker shares captain duties with Page Hiebert this year. Erin enjoys participating in Elbiata Singers, volleyball, basketball and track in addition to other school activities. Erin envisions being at the Eiffel Tower in Paris when penguins from all over the world descend on the town there. Erin was first team all-league in 2013 and wants to return to Hays this year. She has been a key player for the ‘Blue during the past two years and joins a delightful set of team-mates for her final High School campaign, with hopes that the year will end in the team achieving its goals and each player improving for the years ahead.
Goessel v. Remington Broncos
Goessel has found success so far this year against several former Heart of America foes: 2A Ell-Saline, 2A Peabody (now in the Wheat State League), 3A Sedgwick and tonight faced 3A Remington. Out of the chute, the ‘Blue looked terrific going up 6-1 on shots from Page and sumptuous Alyssa sinkerball serving. Remington, standing with three 6 footers, thundered back with an 11-2 run on 7 earned points, pounding the Blue defense at will, and Coach Guhr called time. Erin brought the crowd to their feet with a right side blast and the Birds turned it 14-13 with Page at front left. The Broncos parried to tie at 14 then Page and Olivia double blocked straight down to give some space at 16-14. Page was called for breaking the plane on the attack to take it to 17-15, and in response she smacked one down the line so hard the ball had to be replaced (well it seemed it could have happened that way). Goessel appeared in control but again the Broncos dug deep and pulled back to knot at 19 and Goessel called time. In a beautiful sequence out of the time, Page killed, the Broncos replied, Erin splayed two absolutely perfect finishes at a key juncture to go up 22-21 and Alican plugged the Bronco attack with a bloch magnifique and Remington called their final timeout down 23-21. Lanky stretch Bronco wallops found a home to tie again, but Alicen remained solid and secure with a pretty touch tip and Gentry served. The Broncos lost their pass in the ceiling and Goessel came away with the 25-23 win. Each team earned 17 and there were no serving errors in the well-played contest.
Goessel fans and Coach Guhr were pleased to see former Assistant Coach Tiffany DeHaven in attendance tonight. Teammates and fans were also saddened to learn of the passing of Olivia’s grandmother Esther Penner.
The second stanza of this contest followed in a similar vein as the 2nd verse of the Eureka match. Page shellacked down the line half way to the El Dorado Freddy’s, then Goessel went on the tear of the year. A fabulous 13-1 run put the ‘Birds at 15-3 with 13 of those points earned (kills, blocks, tips, aces) against a very good team. Highlights included a 2nd hit Alyssa poke, an Alicen roof, an absolutely rambunctious crosscourt Page harrumph into Hiebert Corner and an Erin blast crosscourt into the Fall River. Erin killed at 14-3 off the get of the night, a Page slide/dive in the middle. Timeout Remington. Bronco busted. Brittney flashed a rare but broad smile on her “mighty nice” block at 17-6. Olivia solo blocked and Erin caromed an inside out fastball ace to move to 20-9, leaving no doubt who was controlling this one. In sloppy continuation, the Broncos brought it back to 21-12 before Page knocked one down then hit cross-court again nearly at a 90˚ angle. Kelcey Hinz slammed two nice kills before Page caught a quick Alyssa set in the middle and punctuated with a northwest downslope to 24-14, then Alicen guided the finish block left for a 25-14 close. Goessel earned 19 points in this set and Remington 9; Goessel only made 5 errors in a well played 2nd set and 11 errors in the total match.
These matches were good tune-ups for the days ahead and prove that Goessel can stay tough against blocking and good skills. The Bluebirds have upended five 3A schools through this point in the season (Haven, Halstead, Sedgwick, Eureka and Remington). Next up, the Bluebirds face Little River and Solomon at Little River on Tuesday and then will be at Olpe on Saturday the 27th. Next week, announcement of state classifications also is a big moment for all small schools on the 1A-2A bubble. Will key opponents/rivals be in the same classification as our school?
