A momentous victory in the Oakland Activities Association white division was snatched from the Varsity Volleyball team by Rochester Adams in their first-place showdown on Thursday, Oct. 8.
Oxford was able to jump out to a two games to none lead, but wasn’t able to capture the elusive third game as Adams rallied to take the next three games and steal a sure victory from the Wildcats.
This was the Wildcat’s first loss in OAA white play this season.
‘This was maybe one of the toughest losses that I ever had as a coach,? said head coach Kristi McDevitt. ‘The win was right in front of us, but we didn’t play to attain it. We have to learn to finish.?
It was especially painful because the Adams comeback was similar to their comeback in last season’s district semi-final game against the Wildcats.
Juniors Lindsey Leppek and Katie Bearse each had four blocks and senior Tammy Toteff led the Wildcats with seven kills.
On Saturday, Oct.. 10 the Wildcats hosted their annual Oxford Invitational. Oxford finished the day going 4-2-2, capturing wins against Utica Eisenhower, Grosse Pointe North, Lasher and Lapeer East, while splitting games against Notre Dame Prep and Lake Orion.
Their only loss in pool play was to Chippewa Valley.
The Wildcats reached the playoffs as a third seed and lost to Notre Dame Prep 25-23 and 25-21 in the semi-finals.
Oxford was able to pile up some impressive stats throughout the tournament. They racked up 29 solo blocks and 19 block assists while combining for 123 kills.
Senior Casey Novak and junior Kate Bailey were forces offensively, combining for 58 kills while Toteff added 20 kills of her own.
Seniors Paige Felisky and Sara Neibor combined for 48 kill assists and 30 digs and juniors Olivia Krause and Maggie Rourke anchored the defense with 34 and 26 digs respectively.
The Wildcats are now 20-12-6 on the season and play their final home games against Bloomfield Hills Andover Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m.