Photo courtesy Bill Foster
The Falcons show off their runner-up trophy at the Shepherd Invitational on Saturday.

SHEPHERD - Oct. 6, 2007 - The Ogemaw Heights volleyball team concluded a busy week Saturday by claiming second place out of 10 teams, winning four of seven matches.

The Falcons advanced out of pool play, where they defeated Fowler and Farwell but lost to Grant and Shepherd.

In single-elimination play, the Falcons opened with Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart and came from behind in the second game to 25-18, 25-23 sweep. That earned a rematch with the Shepherd team to which the Falcons had lost earlier. This time it was a bit different as Ogemaw took the first game 25-23, lost the second game 13-25 and won the tiebreak game 15-12.

"The second game was ugly," Gillette said. "We lost focus and had a hard time serving. In the third game, we won the coin toss, deferred the serve and chose the side because of a larger serving area."

After a back-and-forth third game, Lauren Gillette finished off the match with an ace.

The Falcon were swept in the final by Lansing Catholic Central, which lost only one game for the day.

"The team is improving," Gillette said. "I'm looking forward to the rest of the season."

Tiffany Rouse had 50 digs, Jacie Lucas had 40 digs, 12 aces and nine kills; Gillette had 51 assists, 13 aces and 14 kills; Meaghan Tackebury had seven aces, 21 digs and 29 kills; Jordan Foster had five aces, 49 digs and 17 kills; and Emily Sheltrown had three blocks and four kills.

The Falcons (27-14-8) return at home on Wednesday against Standish-Sterling.