GAYLORD - Oct. 17, 2009 - Ogemaw Heights advanced to the semifinals of Saturday's Gaylord Invitational, falling in the semifinals to tourney champ Sault Ste. Marie.

"We did a fantastic job all day despite fighting illness and injuries," said Falcon coach Diane Gillette. "The front line stepped it up and played aggressively at the net. Our passing game was one of the best for the year. The girls never gave up even if they were down. (It) was a total team contribution."

In pool play, Ogemaw Heights defeated Maple City Glen Lake 21-13, 21-7; split with Gaylord 21-19, 18-21; and beat Grayling 21-18, 21-16. The Falcons edged Alpena 25-21, 21-25, 15-7 in the quarterfinals, lost to the Soo 18-25, 12-25; and beat Grayling in the third-place match 10-25, 25-14, 15-4.

Leading the Falcons (12-13-4) were Alissa Thorson and Sara Meier with 21 kills apiece; Andrea Gillette with 39 assists; and Shelby Marshall with 46 digs and nine aces.

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Ogemaw Stats: Annie Sheltrown 18 kills; Alissa Thorson 21 kills; Sara Meier 21 kills; Paige Bachelder 13 kills, 45 digs; Andrea Gillette 39 digs, 5 aces; Shelby Marshall 34 assists, 46 digs, 9 aces; Tori Rabaidue 7 aces; Jorie Lucas 5 aces.