The varsity Ladycats walked into Saturday’s district game full of BELIEF.
The struggling squad entered the game against league foe Lapeer West, who had beaten Oxford in the previous matches during the season, with nothing but optimism.
‘We knew that we were capable of beating this team, yet, we knew that we had to play flawless,? head coach Kristi McDevitt said.
Oxford came out slow, taking half the first game to get their bearings and made a late run at the Panthers before losing 25-23.
In the second game, a completely different team took the court.
‘It was like something snapped in their heads in the three minutes it took for the second match to start,? McDevitt said. The Ladycats took charge, hitting, blocking, digging and downed the Panthers 25-16 to win the second match.
‘We did everything right and they couldn’t even come close to touching us,? McDevitt stated.
In the third and fourth matches, Oxford couldn’t hold the momentum as the Panthers finished the Ladycat’s season by posting 25-12 and 25-16 victories.
Senior captain Shana Jones had 13 kills and 10 digs, and senior captain Mykala Salquist posted 9 kills and 6 blocks in the final game of their high school careers.
‘I am going to miss all my seniors, but Shana and Mykala are my girls, they have been there since the start of my coaching career,? McDevitt relflected. ‘For that I, they will always hold a special place in my heart.?
Oxford finished the season tied for third place in the league with Brandon with a record of 7-7.