A good start to the morning gave the Oconto Falls High School volleyball team a chance to make a statement in a competitive field at the Pulaski Invitational on Saturday.
The Panthers opened play with a 2-1 victory over Freedom before falling in pool play to the eventual champions, Howards Grove, in three sets, 25-19, 23-25, 15-13.
Howards Grove junior Samantha Yancy tallied 22 kills in the three-set victory.
A relatively easy match against Marinette ended pool play and sent Oconto Falls into the tournament semifinals.
The playoffs showcased teams with different strengths, which proved difficult for the Panthers. Pulaski, for example, has a tall front line with skilled blockers.
“Pulaski had a huge block against us, probably the biggest block we have seen,” Oconto Falls head coach Rochell Otto said.
OFHS senior outside hitter Emily Kilmer was held to just two kills in the game. Junior Shelby Coron had seven kills, but it was not enough, as Oconto Falls fell 25-22, 25-22.
In the third-place match, the Panthers faced a scrappy West De Pere team that dug 34 of the Panthers’ 64 attacks in the two-set match.
Kilmer finished with 30 kills in the five matches. Mikaela Thomson had 101 assists.
Despite losing three of the five matches Saturday, Otto was pleased that her team was able to stay in every match and likes her team’s chances moving forward.
“Any given day, we can beat any of the teams that we lost to this weekend,” Otto said.
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