Holly Wangler sets for one of her 32 assists at the NEMC tourney on Saturday.
Brent Baker
Amber Schmitt helped anchor the front line with three blocks during Saturday's tournament.

OSCODA - Feb. 25, 2006 - Ogemaw Heights finished a solid third at the North East Michigan Conference volleyball finals on Saturday, winning four of six matches to maintain their positioning heading into the day-long round-robin tournament.

The Falcons entered the day with a 4-2 mark and the third spot in the league, and duplicated that with their tourney performance.

Ogemaw defeated Whittemore-Prescott 25-13, 25-18, Standish-Sterling 25-19, 25-20, Oscoda 25-17, 25-22 and Tawas Area 25-14, 25-21, while losing to co-champions Pinconning 25-21, 21-25, 20-25 and John Glenn 14-25, 17-25.

The Falcons were the only team besides John Glenn to truly give Pinconning a battle, beating them in the first game for the second time in a week before falling in the final two games.

"The team did a nice job communicating and moving on the floor," said Ogemaw coach Diane Gillette. "We struggled again at the service line and lost our focus. The setters did a nice job of using all the hitters."

Lauren Shepardson had 40 kills, 12 aces and 58 digs to lead the Falcons, while Ashley Killinger had 68 digs, Holly Wangler and Laura Budge had 32 assists apiece, Jamie Lucas had 17 kills and four blocks, Amber Schmitt added 16 kills and three blocks and Mallory Collins had 16 kills and 11 aces.

The Falcons (28-14-4 overall) travel to Gladwin on Saturday for district tournament action, opening with Beaverton at approximately 10 a.m. in the day's second contest.

"(At districts) we need to work on being focused and finishing the job," said Gillette.