The Goessel volleyball team earned its fourth consecutive Wheat State League tournament championship Saturday, boosting its record to a perfect 36-0 as players look ahead to substate competition.

Goessel tuned up for the tournament with matches Oct. 14 against Little River and Inman.

The Bluebirds played Little River for the fourth time this season and jumped out to an 11-4 lead. Goessel coasted to a 25-9 finish in game one. The second game started 11-1 in the Bluebirds favor, but Little River ran off five consecutive points to reduce the deficit. Goessel scored seven consecutive points to finish the match 25-10.

The Bluebirds demonstrated good balance on defense and offense against Inman to win the first set 25-12. Goessel screamed to a 17-2 lead in the second set and finished the contest 25-8.

The Bluebirds first opponent on Saturday was Peabody-Burns. Goessel defeated the Warriors 25-6, 25-14, then matched up again with Little River. With strong serving, Goessel scored the first nine points and sailed to a 25-11 win. In the second set, it was much the same with the Bluebirds winning 25-13.

Against the host team Centre, the Bluebirds fell behind 4-3. Power hitting from Page Hiebert and Erin Brubaker brought the Bluebirds back into the lead. Alicen Meysing and Olivia Duerksen dominated the middle with good blocks and effective hits. Alyssa Booton dished out assists all day and surprised teams with an occasional setter’s dink. Goessel surged to win the first set 25-9.

In the second set, the Bluebirds earned the first five points, but the Cougars got as close as 10-9, forcing a Goessel time-out. Goessel’s back row kept coming up with digs as Centre was unable to gain ground. Eden Hiebert, Makayla King and Booton were effective passing balls to the front row. Gentry Thiessen came in to serve and the Bluebirds scored five unanswered points. Brittney Hiebert joined Meysing and Page Hiebert at the net to win the second set 25-15.

In the semi-final match, Goessel faced Solomon, the second place team from Pool B. The Bluebirds bolted to a 13-4 lead and went on to win 25-12. Goessel had too many options for the Gorillas to deal with in the second set, as the Bluebirds overpowered them 25-6.

The championship match set the Bluebirds against Rural Vista. The first set ended quickly at 25-4 with a Goessel win. The Heat stayed close in the second at 11-8, but Goessel found its rhythm and won the title with a score of 25-14.

The Bluebirds will be at the Hartford Sub-state on Saturday, with the winner of that tournament going on to the 1A State Tournament in Hays Oct. 31 and Nov 1.