While Oxford may not be a team that many are worried about, it’s a team they’ll be surprised by, according to new Varsity Volleyball Head Coach LaToria Thomas.
With a 9-3 record start, Thomas is pleased at her team’s performance.
‘We’ve been doing extremely well and I think we have a very good chance at beating a lot of teams that we didn’t compete well against last year,? Thomas said. ‘You’ll see a lot aggressiveness, communication and team work.?
Thomas, who is originally from Alabama, played volleyball from eighth grade all the way through high school, as well as three years in college. She came to Michigan in 2012. Prior to coming to Oxford, she was the junior varsity volleyball coach and assistant varsity volleyball coach for Waterford Mott High School. She also coached a travel league. She is currently a paraprofessional at Waterford Mott.
‘I’m so excited (to be at Oxford). I love the girls. I love all of my staff that I work with. It’s such a nice change, I’m very happy.?
As far as match-ups go, Thomas is looking forward to their rematch against Lake Orion, which will be at home on October 6. Oxford lost to Orion a couple of weeks ago.
‘I’m looking forward to that rematch and every team that we lost to last year,? she said. ‘It will be a time to redeem ourselves.?
Oxford has six returning players this season, including junior Nicole Elzerman, seniors Marie Matheis, Grace Wysocki, Lisa Savich, Amanda Schlicht, Hailey Hartwick and Alexa Igram. Thomas noted, Hartwick is currently being looking at by some Division 2 colleges and Elzerman is a ‘jewel? to the team.
‘Our middle hitters are bringing up classic sets every game,? she said.
New to the team are freshman Paige Parent, sophomore Elle Wright and juniors Kayla Manzella, Jessica Nelson, Paige Briggs, and Katie Detone.
Thomas said she was lucky to have both Parent and Wright on the team.
‘Our young ones are making a big impact,? she said.
The strength of the team is ‘the way they play together.?
‘No matter who comes on or off that court, they click right away and they vibe right away? she said. ‘They’re one of the best teams I’ve seen on the court and they’re always trying to be better.?
As for the league, Thomas said it’s tough this year.
‘There are some really good teams (in the OAA Red,)? she said. ‘But we’ve been able to beat all the teams in our league so far except two.?
The goal of the season is simple ? ‘compete.?
‘I want them to compete and of course win, but I think we’re improving if we beat anybody we hadn’t beat (last year),? she said. ‘We’ve already done that this season by beating Notre Dame Prep. We haven’t beaten them in seven or eight years, so we’re heading in the right direction.?
Any loss they have had this season, Thomas said they’ll ‘come back and learn from it.?
‘I’m excited and hope that everyone will come out and support Oxford volleyball,? she said. ‘They’re a positive group of girls and they really work hard.?
The next match will be at home against Walled Lake Western and will begin at 7 p.m.