Ogemaw's Jamie Lucas goes high for a spike at the Gladwin Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 7.
Linda Eyer
Holly Wangler bumps one up during Saturday's tournament.

GLADWIN - Jan. 7, 2006 - The Ogemaw Heights volleyball team continued its strong early-season performance Saturday by taking second place at the Gladwin Invitational.

The Falcons were 3-2-1 on the day, losing only to Gladwin.

Ogemaw started the day with a 21-25, 25-19 split with Whittemore-Prescott, defeated Oscoda 25-16, 25-15, fell to Gladwin 15-25, 19-25 and topped Tawas Area 25-18, 25-9 in pool play.

The Falcons topped W-P 25-27, 25-13, 15-7 in the semifinal match but fell to the Flying G's 25-21, 13-25, 12-15 in the championship.

"We started the day very sluggish," said Ogemaw coach Diane Gillette. "We picked it up as the day progressed but couldn't pull it together for a win in the finals."

The Falcons trailed 11-6 in the final game of the championship match before closing the gap to 14-12.

Individual leaders for the Falcons were Holly Wanlger with 49-of-54 serving four aces, and 22 assists; Ashley Killinger with 47-of-51 serving, nine aces and 49 digs; Jamie Lucas with 27-of-28 serving, 22 kills and 53 digs; Mallory Collins with 22 aces and six blocks; Laura Budge with 32 assists; Lauren Shepardson with 31 kills and 69 digs; and Amber Schmitt with eight blocks.

The Falcons improved to 17-4-2 on the season, and travel to Pinconning on Jan. 11 in a key NEMC match.

"I'm very proud of our girls," Gillette said. "They should be very proud of what they have accomplished so far."