Oxford’s varsity volleyball team improved its league standing with two victories last week and look to be ready for the upcoming district play.
The lady Wildcats are 3-3 in the league after defeating Rochester Adams and Farmington.
Against Adams, Oxford overcame a slow start to win the match 12-25, 29-27, 25-22, and 28-26. Junior captain Darien Bandel led all hitters with 25 kills, followed by senior captain Meagan Neff with 5 kills. Sophomore Kennedy Orr tallied 23 kill assists to pace the offense.
Against Farmington, Oxford settled in nicely to come out swinging in the first match to down the Falcons 25-18, but hot and cold play the rest of the night set up a five set match that ended with a Wildcat victory 15-8.
Bandel again led all hitters with 29 kills and senior Maddy Line had a great night as well with 12 kills and three blocks. Tough efense by junior Aviana Paese (17 digs) and senior captain Alyssa Wysocki (15 digs) gave the Falcon hitters fits all night.
Junior Taylor Taraski contributed 2 blocks and setters Orr and junior Madison Maier combined for 45 kill assists.
At the Oxford 12-team Invitational on Saturday, Oxford went 2-0-3 on the day, defeating Chippewa Valley and Goodrich and splitting with Regina, Utica Ford II, and Brandon to be seeded 4th overall in the tournament.
Oxford faced Utica Ford in the quarterfinals, a team they previously split with, but defeating Ford II in 3 sets to meet up with Notre Dame Prep in the semifinals.
The Irish won the first set 25-21 but the Wildcats bounced back to a 25-20 win. In the third set, Oxford evened the score at 7-7 before costly errors allowed the Irish to run away with the game and bounce Oxford out of their home tournament 8-15.
‘It was a great week. We really pulled something together and it couldn’t be happening at a better time with districts right around the corner. In the coming week we will be looking for our leadership to step up and set the tone,? said McDevitt.
Oxford hosts both Lake Orion this week on Tuesday and Seaholm on Thursday, both at 7 p.m.