SAULT STE. MARIE - Feb. 12 2005 - The Oscoda volleyball team traveled north to the Lake Superior State University International tournament Saturday, finishing second in its pool and winning the tourney's consolation bracket.

The Owls defeated Mt. St. Joseph (Canada) 25-15, 25-12 and lost to Ishpeming 21-25, 12-25 in pool play. In elimination play, the Owls topped Korah (Canada) 20-25, 25-20, 15-10, lost to Sir James Dunn (Canada) 12-25, 17-25 and defeated Houghton 25-14, 27-25.

"We were not at our playing best," Oscoda coach Linda Hennigar said. "Our defense was flat-footed again and we committed too many unforced errors. The strongest part of our game was our serving and serve receive; other than that we did not play up to our potential."

After taking second in pool play, the Owls lost their second elimnination game to Sir James Dunn, putting them in the consolation bracket.

"We faced Houghton and managed to play with a little more intensity than we had earlier in the day," Hennigar said. "Although we struggled in the second game of th ematch, we managed to state a late come-from-behind victory to win the consolation phase of the tournament."

The Owls (16-23-8) were led by Melissa McCausey with 20 total kills; Georgia Welch with 7 blocks; heather Davis with 7 aces; Deanna Boughner with 42 service points; and Michelle Morse with 16 digs.