STANDISH-STERLING - Jan. 13, 2007 - Whittemore-Prescott's volleyball team faced a big challenge Saturday after losing its setter. The Cards took awhile to adjust, but came through with a 3-2-2 record at the Standish-Sterling Invitational on Saturday, falling in three games in the tournament semifinals to Gladwin.

"It was a very emotional day," said W-P coach Helen Loomis.

The Cards opened by with a Game 1 win over Ogemaw Heights, but followed that 25-20 victory with an ugly 5-25 loss. In the first game of their next match, senior setter Stephanie Aviles broke her hand.

"Losing our offensive leader was critical," Loomis said. "It took us a few matches to get some of our momentum back."

With Annie Thompson and Ashley Foco taking over the setting duties, the Cards lost to Gladwin 16-25, 17-25, then beat Arenac Eastern 25-17, 25-12; beat Houghton Lake 25-17, 25-12 split with Standish-Sterling 25-21, 23-25; defeated Arenac Eastern in elimination play 25-8, 25-9 and lost to Gladwin in the semifinals 17-25, 25-24, 11-15.

"We have some rebuilding to do with the loss of Stephanie," Loomis said. "We are not, however, giving up on any of our season goals."

Aviles had 12 assists before leaving with her injury. Foco and Thompson combined for 35 assists for the day. Foco added 14 service points, 2 aces and 36 digs.

Also for W-P, Catherine Daniels had 45 points, 19 aces, 4 blocks, 38 digs and 44 kills; Miranda Oakley had 39 points, 6 aces and 29 digs; Katie Borushko had 26 points and 3 aces; Erica Loomis had 19 points, 14 aces, 1 block, 60 digs and 50 kills; Katie Eymer had 2 blocks; and Heather Popielarz had 1 block.

The Cards (13-4-2) were scheduled to travel to Saginaw Nouvel on Monday and are at John Glenn for an NEMC match on Wednesday, Jan. 17.