For a third year in a row, the Oxford High School Volleyball Team earned an appearance in the district finals.
And, unfortunately, they were denied the crown again.
After defeating Waterford Kettering Nov. 5, Oxford moved on to Clarkston in the district finals on Nov. 6 at Waterford Kettering.
The result, a sweep by Clarkston of 6-25, 19-25, 14-25, resulted in a season-ending exit from the playoffs for Oxford.
Head Coach Kristi McDevitt said the game plan against what she described as a ‘very strong, state-ranked? Clarkston squad was to exploit the holes in the Wolves? defense and serve aggressively and try to rattle them off their ‘A? game.
‘Unfortunately, it was the Wolves that rattled the Wildcats,? the coach said. ‘Oxford struggled to pass the ball to the setter from the start which resulted in an ineffective offense. We couldn’t get the setter the ball so our hitters didn’t really get a chance to hit. It seemed like we were on defense all three matches, hardly getting any chances to attack them.?
Senior captain Brittany Moncrieff, who had 20 kills, 8 blocks, and 11 digs in the victory over WK, ended her four-year varsity career with 10 kills, 2 blocks, and 12 digs.
‘It was a sad moment for Brittany, the lone senior on the squad,? McDevitt said. ‘I know Britt didn’t want to end her season with a loss like that, she gave it this season everything she had and that was one thing I could always count on’she always gave it her all. I am going to miss her so much.?
Against Clarkston, setter Emily Brooks had 9 kill assists and one ace.
In the victory over WK, sophomore Casey Novak had 12 kills and 19 digs, junior Valerie Anderson had 8 kills, and junior Marissa Manzella finished with 7 kills.
The Wildcats finished their volleyball season with an overall record of 24-21-5.