By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

The Bluebirds made it to state championships before losing their first match in 2017, despite moving to 2A for the first time in years. Five returning seniors played significant roles in 2017.

Savanna Wuest has been the starting setter for two years and returns for her senior season. She was selected to the 2A State All-Tournament Team, KVA 2A All-State First Team and Wheat State League first Team. Wuest’s role will be to send the ball to her front line teammates.

Stephany Meyer, also a senior, will hit from the middle, and Cierra Nolte will contribute as outside hitter.

“Both of these hitters will be heavily relied upon, but our younger hitters will need to step up so we can disperse the responsibilities and not be too predictable,” head coach Crysta Guhr said.

In the back row, Madison Smith and Audessi Unruh, both seniors, return with defensive skills that will contribute to the success of this year’s team.

Although Guhr lost four
starters to graduation, she will have talent moving up. Last year’s junior varsity record was 16-8.

“Seeing kids step into new roles and earn their own success is one of my favorite things about coaching,” Guhr said. “Stepping up is what happens in high school, and that will be a key to Goessel’s success this year.

Guhr begins her 14th season at Goessel with 411 wins already under her belt.

The Bluebirds opened the season with matches at Ell-Saline on Tuesday. The first home match will be next Tuesday with Herington and Little River.

The team will host the Goessel Invitational Tournament Sept. 8 with seven other schools.

Wheat State League schools that should pose stiff competition include Rural Vista, Herington and Little River.