For the first time since 2016, the 1A State Volleyball Tournament will not feature Gehlen Catholic after the Jays lost the region final on Wednesday night to Riverside in four sets.
Gehlen Catholic knew getting through Riverside was going to be a challenge going into the match. The Bulldogs proved that by getting into a rhythm quicker and staying in that rhythm more consistently throughout the match. Gehlen Catholic head coach Dan Goebel says his team didn’t make the adjustments soon enough to fight back.
Coach Goebel says the Jays didn’t play a bad game, but Riverside played a great game. He says their control of the match was ultimately the difference.
Part of the problem for the Gehlen Catholic offensive attack was the presence that Riverside had at the net. The Bulldogs combined for 10 total blocks in the win. Coach Goebel says his team didn’t make enough adjustments to get around that.
The Jays found themselves down two sets to none heading into the third and put together a great set of volleyball. Gehlen won the third set 25-14 while scoring nine of the last 10 points in the set. Coach Goebel says it was good to see his team put up the fight with their backs against the wall.
The Gehlen Catholic season ends at 22-8 overall outside of the state tournament for just the second time in the last 13 seasons. The Jays now graduate a class of five seniors that have kept the tradition of success at Gehlen Catholic going. Coach Goebel says that group has a lot to be proud of both on and off the court.
Riverside advances to their first state volleyball appearance in program history with a 33-5 record. They will be the eight-seed and take on top-seeded Springville on Tuesday night.
