Volleyball team at SAC meet Saturday

The Huron volleyball (28-20-2) team will have some time off before its next match, the Straits Area Conference tournament at Sault Ste. Marie Saturday. Rogers City comes into the tournament with a 4-1 conference record and is in the driver?s seat to determine its own fate. Next up is the district tournament Saturday, March 3. Rogers City will play Harbor Springs in the second match of the day, following the Inland Lakes vs. Charlevoix match at 9 a.m. Boyne City will play the winner of the Inland Lakes vs. Charlevoix contest to determine which team matches up with the RC/HS winner in the district finals.

In a traditionally competitive tournament, the Hurons took on some of the best teams in the state at the Spirit of St. Louis Invitational Saturday. ?The team played very well in the always tough Spirit of St. Louis Invitational,? said coach Mary Fairbanks. ?We just missed the gold bracket playoffs in a tie for second place in our pool, losing out in the tiebreaker head to head with Alma.?

The third place finish sent the Hurons to the silver playoffs where they were seeded f

irst after a win with Potterville in the seeding round. Rogers City reached the finals and dropped a tough two-game match with Williamston. The Huron lost to Alma (25-15, 21-25, 9-15) then defeated St. Johns (18-25, 25-23, 15-6). Pewamo-Westphalia defeated Rogers City (18-25, 20-25) before the Hurons topped Potterville (25-20, 21-25, 15-11) in the seeding match. Rogers City defeated Big Rapids (25-17, 25-16) and Pinconning (25-11, 25-23) before losing to Williamston (21-25, 25-27). ?It was a very good day overall for the Hurons, playing some tough teams to prepare for the post season tournaments.? Fairbanks said.

Statistically, Dana Fairbanks led the team with 44 kills, while notching 11 blocks, eight aces, and 50 digs. Simone Kapala led the team with 17 blocks while contributing 28 kills, and a team-high 57 digs. Jenny Fleming had 12 ace serves, 32 kills, and 37 digs. Monica Cercone had 22 kills, 12 aces, and 45 digs. Elly Plath had 74 set assists, 42 digs and nine ace serves. Lauren Hanson had 40 digs.