Goessel ends Hillsboro’s volleyball season in substate semifinal

By JASON TIDD

Staff writer

Overmatched on paper but emboldened by big first round wins, Hillsboro volleyball took a second set win against undefeated Goessel in substate semifinals Saturday in Marion.

After a third set, Goessel remained undefeated, and Hillsboro’s season ended.

Fifth-seeded Hillsboro (17-21) opened with big wins, 25-13, 25-10, in a first round upset against fourth-seeded Wabaunsee (15-18). But Hillsboro could not upset first-seeded and undefeated Goessel (36-0), the top-ranked team in 2A and last year’s 1A state champion.

Goessel led 13-11 in the first set before pulling away with a six-point run, eventually winning 25-15.

The Lady Trojans responded with a strong start in the second set, jumping out to a 14-9 lead that grew to 21-13. Hillsboro won 25-18.

With the third set tied 8-8, Goessel scored eight straight points before closing on a six-point run to win 25-11.