By Sean Holohan

GOSHEN – The Goshen girl’s volleyball team won their Area 6 tournament game in dominating fashion Monday night against Luverne and will now advance to regional play against Class 2A, Area 3 team Houston Academy Friday in Montgomery at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex.

Goshen (24-8) went on to easily sweep Luverne three sets to none (25-9, 25-5, 25-8) in their Monday night matchup.

“We’re playing really good ball right now,” Goshen head coach Amy Warrick said. “We’ve been preparing for this all season. This is what it comes down to.”

Warrick said she was very pleased with the Eagles’ team effort against Luverne Monday. Kati Thomas and Kasey Allen lead the team offensively with 22 kills and 13 kills, respectively.

Goshen was quick on their feet all night and the back line hustled to set up the Eagles’ dominant hitters, Warrick said. She credits the tough schedule Goshen played last week for preparing the Eagles for the grind of post-season play.

“The two tough games in the season made us a lot quicker and helped get us ready,” Warrick said. “They (Luverne) came in hard and gave us everything they got. We have to take momentum and take it into regionals.”

This is the second straight trip to regionals that the Warrick-led Eagles have been to.

Goshen now turns their attention to Houston Academy, who lost to Area 3 winner Providence Christian Monday.

The Eagles faced the Raiders twice in the regular season, winning once and losing once. Warrick said her team should be prepared for a battle, as Houston Academy is coming out of a competitive area, one that will make them a tough opposition for Goshen.

“They (Houston Academy) are a really good team,” Warrick said. “They are coming out of a hard area. Providence is awesome, so they are really prepared.”

Warrick said communication and speed would be key in putting away the Raiders Friday.

“To perform, we have to communicate, we have to stay up and we have to be quick on our feet,” she said. “We want our hits to go in, but we have to be able to adjust and our setters have to do their jobs.”

Goshen and Houston Academy will play at 10:15 a.m. Friday. The winner moves on to face the winner of New Brockton and G.W. Long on Saturday.