Trojans extend streak as teams prepare for post-season
Staff writer
Hillsboro is ranked No. 14 in the state, Peabody-Burns had the weekend off and is preparing for its season ender against Marion, and Goessel has been selected to host a 1A substate tournament.
Hillsboro
With a 27-1 season record and a 96% winning ratio, Hillsboro continues to ride a 19-match winning streak since the Trojans’ first and only loss for the season.
To start last week, Hillsboro defeated Pratt, 25-8, 25-22, and Haven, 25-22, 25-13, in the same day.
“We have not seen either of these teams since the first tournament of the year,” coach Sandy Arnold said. “Both matches counted as league wins, which now puts our league record at 7-0.”
Hillsboro then turned to bigger schools Thursday, defeating Great Bend, 25-23, 25-23, and Emporia, 25-19, 25-23.
“The girls used some strong serving, a variety of attacks, and some solid blocking to defeat two 5A schools in Emporia,” Arnold said, “We also withstood a valiant comeback by Emporia in the final set. It was a good test for us as we head into post-season play in a couple of weeks.”
Hillsboro will be host for a tournament Saturday.
Peabody-Burns
Peabody-Burns had the weekend off but will face Marion in its last regular season match Thursday.
“Our season this year has been up and down as we’ve continued to improve our skills,” coach Rachel Winter said. “We’ve taken a lot of matches to three sets but are still learning how to finish.”
Looking ahead to the match against Marion, Winter said: “I look forward to this match-up every year because it gives us high-level competition right before we go into post season play. It’s another opportunity to get better and get prepared for sub-state.”
Goessel
Goessel ended league play with a victory over Elyria Christian and a loss to Little River. In identical scores for both sets, the Bluebirds defeated the Eagles 25-21, 25-21. Little River, which won nine league games, defeated Goessel 25-9, 25-17.
The Bluebirds ended the weekwith an overall record of 17-11 and a Wheat State League record of 6-3, putting them in a tie for third place in the 10-team league.
Goessel, which has been selected as host for a 1A substate tournament Oct. 22, will travel Saturday to Hope for the Wheat State League tournament.
Marion
Marion lost Thursday’s non-conference match against Ell-Saline in straight sets, putting Marion on a four-game skid.
Kenna Wesner is leading the team with an average of 2.7 kills per set, a 0.298 hitting percentage, and 15 total blocks.
Grace Hett is right behind her with a 0.173 hitting percentage, 5.8 digs per set, 59 aces, and 505 receptions.
Marion (18-16) will facing Lebo (18-1) as well as Peabody-Burns (5-20) on Thursday.
Staff writer Delbert Peters contributed to this report.