By Teddy Rydquist

Leader Sports Writer

Another sign of the program’s progression, the Oxford Wildcats boys’ tennis team captured both the OAA Blue regular season championship on Sept. 30, and the OAA League Tournament title on Friday, Oct. 4 at Farmington High School.

Finishing the regular season a flawless 5-0 in league play, the Wildcats rounded it out by sweeping Ferndale, 8-0, on Sept. 30. A rescheduled match that was originally booked for Sept. 10, the Eagles provided little opposition as Oxford won all eight matches in two-sets.

Planning to host Armada in a non-league match on Oct. 1, the event was canceled due to rain.

Winning four events in the league tournament, the Wildcats had a top-two finisher in seven of the eight flights. Competing in the fourth singles flight, senior Cameron Mumbrue was Oxford’s only individual winner on the day.

The doubles flights, however, were where the Wildcats separated themselves from the pack. Led by senior Dane – who was named Homecoming King at halftime of the school’s football game the same day – and junior Silas VonAllmen, Oxford prevailed in three of the four doubles pairings.

Dane’s twin, Avery VonAllmen and junior Zach Buchanan won the fourth doubles flight, while junior Gabe Smith and sophomore Chase Maier were victorious in the third.

Using the OAA’s scoring system to determine a champion, the Wildcats wrapped up the league portion of their season with 12 points; six for their regular season championship and an additional six for winning the league tournament.

When this reporter spoke with head coach Ryan Ruzziconi in August about his outlook for this year’s team, one of their goals was to be competitive at the league tournament. Edging the second-place Avondale Yellow Jackets and Farmington Falcons by five points, the team certainly responded to the challenge.

Looking to keep their season going, the team will next be in action in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Regional Tournament at Clarkston High School on Thursday, Oct. 10 beginning at 10 a.m.