With a 2-3 overall start, Oxford High School Varsity Volleyball Head Coach LaToria Thomas said the team has already set a list of goals for the 2016-17 season.

“Our goals are to be competitive and to work as a team. Our team goal this year is to hopefully beat Clarkston and Lake Orion,” said Thomas.

Since the first game of the season, held on August 20, Thomas said the team has demonstrated a number of strengths.

“We have (seven) returning players, so we have seniors who are leaders and captains on the court. Together, we’re pretty strong offensively,” said Thomas.

Returning players include seniors Nicole Elzerman, Katie Detone, Jessica Nelson, Paige Parent and Kayla Manzella; junior Elle Wright; and sophomore Paige Briggs.

New to the team are juniors Devon Bonner, Danielle Deryckere, and Kalli Mulholland; sophomore Hanna Bellamy; and freshman Madeline Weiss. With the recent addition of five girls to the team, Thomas noted the team will be focusing on team bonding.

“(We’ll) definitely (be working on) communication. We’re a little quiet on the court sometimes. (We’ll) also (work on) being aggressive. Sometimes we aren’t as aggressive as we should be, so I think that comes with everyday practice and experience and learning about each other,” said Thomas.

Thomas said she is expecting great things from her team as a whole and named sophomore outside hitter Paige Briggs, a division one athlete, and senior outside hitter Nicole Elzerman, who has been awarded All-Region honors, as two stand-out athletes on the OHS varsity volleyball team.

Oxford High’s varsity volleyball team defeated Avondale 3-0 on September 1, giving Head Coach LaToria Thomas an optimistic outlook for the season.

“I’m excited. I think we’re going to do well this year. I’m confident in our Oxford Volleyball Team,” Thomas said.

The girls go up against Bloomfield Hills High School on September 15. The match begins at 7 p.m. at Bloomfield Hills High.