By ALEXANDER SIMONE

Staff writer

Marion County volleyball teams had a busy and successful week last week, losing just four games, one of which was ensured because Goessel and Centre played one another.

Hillsboro escaped its first set against Emporia with a 26-24 win, then put the match away with a 25-16 win in the second set.

The second match was more of a nail-biter, as the home team lost its first set to Great Bend, 25-20. The Trojans then took the second set 25-13, and the third set 25-23.

Hillsboro is making its case to be the best team in Class 2A with a record of 17-2.

Marion’s record indicates resilience

Marion’s 22-9 record isn’t as sparkling as Hillsboro’s but the Warriors have shown they can beat anyone and have demonstrated mental toughness.

After losing their first set against Bennington last week, 25-12, Marion took two sets, 25-20, and 25-18.

The Warriors lost the opening set in the second match, this time 27-25, but again won the final two sets, 25-22, and 26-24.

While Marion and Hillsboro aren’t in the same league, having both teams performing at a high level might indicate a postseason tilt.

Peabody-Burns secures 3rd victory

Peabody-Burns had another light week, playing no games for seven days. Before its Tuesday quad, Peabody-Burns’ most recent matches were Oct. 6. After losing to Elyria Christian in three sets, the Warriors beat Wakefield in two sets to earn their third win.

Goessel 2nd
in league play

The Bluebirds secured their standing in league play Friday by traveling to Centre and defeating the Cougars 25-21, and 25-22. The win guaranteed Goessel second place in Wheat State League standings.

Goessel also traveled to Herington last week and came up short against the league-leading Railers, losing 25-21, and 25-11, but the Bluebirds defeated Solomon, 25-19, 21-25, and 25-14.

Centre splits matches in busy week

Centre had multiple games to play from when the team was quarantined, so the team played Herington and Wakefield Thursday, and Goessel and Elyria Christian on Friday.

The Cougars lost their first match to Herington, 25-8, and 25-19, but responded by winning their match against Wakefield in three sets.

After its loss to Goessel, the Cougars responded by winning in two sets against Elyria Christian, 25-16, and 25-22.

Goessel played Centre but not Elyria Christian.

The Cougars and Bluebirds each had two league losses headed into the weekend, but Goessel had the head-to-head advantage.

Centre fell behind Goessel in WSL standings Monday by losing at Rural Vista. The Cougars lost in three sets, winning the opening set, 25-23, but dropping the other two, 25-10, and 25-20.

Reporters Delbert Peters and Rowena Plett contributed to this story.