By Teddy Rydquist

Leader Sports Writer

Residing just outside the top-10 in the Michigan High School Athletic Association state rankings, the Oxford Wildcats volleyball program is off to a tremendous start this season.

Following their second-place showing in their tournament at Oxford High School on Saturday, Sept. 7, the girls had a week off from documented competition before taking part in a tournament at Mercy High School (Farmington Hills) on Sept. 14.

Sometimes having a week off can lead to rust; this was not the case with the Wildcats. Oxford won their first three matches at Mercy, all in two-sets. After their defeats of Davison, Grosse Pointe North and Cass Technical, the Wildcats drew a date with Ann Arbor Skyline.

A reigning district champion, Skyline advanced all the way to the regional final in 2018, falling to Northville.

The Wildcats were bested by Skyline in two-sets but put up a close fight in the first set, losing 25-23. The Eagles won the second set by a more comfortable margin, 25-18.

3-1 on the day, the Wildcats improved to 14-6-2 on the season. The team has posted a 34-14 record in their 48 sets played so far.

Oxford hosts Clarkston on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. Last meeting in the Oxford Tournament on Sept. 7, the Wolves beat the Wildcats in two-sets.

With the OAA Red being as strong as it is, Thursday’s match will be an excellent barometer for how far the Wildcats have come.