The Lady Cat spikers had a full week of post season this last week.
Oxford played Waterford Mott in the district quarter finals on Nov. 2 where they won all games. The first game was 25-6 win, which was due to a 16 point serving run by senior libero Hailey Hartwick. Game two was a 16 win and game three was a 25-12 win.
Top scorers of the night included Nicole Elzerman: 10 kills, Lisa Savich: six kills, Grace Wysocki: five kills, Paige Briggs seven kills and Hartwick: 13 digs and 6 aces.
The win over Mott advanced them to the semi-finals where they faced off against Waterford Kettering on Nov. 4 where they again took all three games 25-13, 25-11 and 25-16.
Top scorers included: Elzerman: 14 kills, Savich: 10 kills, Marie Matheis: eight kills, Hartwick: 10 digs and Amanda Schlict: 35 assists and four aces.
That win took them to the district finals where they faced off against down the street rival Lake Orion, who is ranked number two in the state.
Oxford started slow and’lost game one by score of 25-12. Oxford was able to pick up the momentum and was able to start off strong leading 6-1 early in the game; however do to some unforced errors, Lake Orion was able to make a scoring run and take the lead. Oxford played hard, putting up big blocks, and playing great defense. The game went point for point but Oxford ended up losing a very close second game by score of 27-25. Oxford went into game three playing hard and ultimately lost by score 25-19. Lake Orion was named District Champs.
‘I’was very proud of my girls. All season our biggest issue was being consistent. I think the girls really stepped up for this match, and worked together as a team. All six of my seniors really stepped up and were leaders on the court and they all contributed great efforts in the match,? Said Head Coach Latoria Thomas. ‘It can be intimidating facing the number two team in the state, but the girls really went into the match focused, and with a lot of positivity. They worked well together on the court, and they never gave up.?
Top scorers included Elzerman with nine kills, Wysocki with eight kills and four blocks, Hartwick with 10 digs, Alexa Igram with seven digs, Schlict with 28 assists and Savage had four kills and three blocks.
‘They played with so much heart that it was inspiring to me as a coach. I believe we gave 100% and our best effort, and we fell short. Lake Orion is a great team offensively and defensively, so they weren’t going to make it easy for us,? Thomas added. ‘We worked hard for all our points, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I was so proud of my team. Although we didn’t win our district finals game, I was happy that we ended the season with such great teamwork and playing.?
The Lady Cats ended the season with a final record of 33-14-3.
Thomas said her first season as head coach as been ‘awesome.?
‘I’m extremely proud of the team I picked and we made some huge accomplishments all season long, and made a lot of memories. I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls for my first season at Oxford,? she said. ‘I want to thank everyone for the continued support, especially the parents, my AD Cole Andrews, Daneen Kincaid, and my awesome coaching staff Trevor Marshall and Marissa Manzella. It couldn’t have been done without all of those people. To my six seniors, your hard work and dedication all season long will truly be missed and I wish you all best in your future endeavors.?