OSCODA - Jan. 17, 2007 - Standish-Sterling bounced back from a 2-1 game deficit Wednesday to claim a 25-19, 19-25, 21-25, 25-17, 15-11 NEMC volleyball victory at Oscoda.

The Panthers got off to a quick start before Oscoda stepped up its attack.

"In the second and third games we got our defense on track, and although our attack lacked aggressiveness we managed to claim the victory," said Oscoda coach Linda Hennigar.

Hennigar added that the Owls reverted to tipping the ball, rather than hitting it and that SSC controlled the fifth and final game from the outset.

"Our play showed improvement even though we let a victory slip through our hands," Hennigar said. "Defensively we did a better job of keeping the ball in play but our net play lacked aggressiveness.

"We resorted to the tip instead of the spike too frequently. When you tip against an opponent that plays aggressive defense you are just setting yourself up for a spike attack. That is exactly what we did and what happened."

For the Owls, Margaret Negro had 16 kills, 4 aces, 2 blocks and 25 service points; Jeri Carl had 3 blocks. Krystin Inman had 3 aces and 19 points; Briana Findeisen had 19 points; Mariko Yamanoto had 8 digs and Heather Patterson had 7 digs.

"Margaret once again put in a solid performance at the net, and Heather played great defense," Hennigar said.