By Teddy Rydquist

Leader Sports Writer

Sweeping a quad at Notre Dame Prep in late-August, the Oxford Wildcats volleyball team was riding high headed into their next quad at Flushing High School on Sept. 3.

Making the roughly 50-minute drive, the girls faced stiff competition from three different leagues – The Oakland Activities Association, Flint Metro League and Blue Water Area Conference.

Drawing the Flushing Raiders in their first match, the Wildcats won the first set, 25-20, but then lost the next two. The reigning Flint Metro League champions, Flushing appears primed to compete with Fenton for another league title.

Oxford then fell again in three sets, this time to a Clarkston team they had beat at Notre Dame Prep. Fortunately, the girls ended the day on a high note with a two-set victory over North Branch.

Having to put their struggles quickly behind them, Oxford had another quad, this one again at Notre Dame Prep, on Sept. 4.

Like in their first trip to the Fighting Irish’s campus, the girls fared much better here than at Flushing. Facing the Holly Bronchos, another Flint Metro League opponent, the Wildcats took care of business in two-sets. Following a three-set loss to the Lady Irish, Oxford again closed the day with a two-set victory, dispatching the Rochester Falcons in short order.

Their first home action of the 2019 season, the Wildcats hosted L’Anse Creuse, Rochester, Brandon and Clarkston on Sept. 7.

Battling the L’Anse Creuse Lancers in their first action of the day, Oxford won in convincing fashion, 25-11, 25-5. They would follow that up with additional two-set victories over Rochester and Brandon, setting the stage for another shot at the Clarkston Wolves.

Falling 25-22, 25-21, the Wildcats could not usurp the Wolves, but still closed the day 3-1.

All told, the Oxford volleyball team is off to a strong 11-5-2 start, winning 28 of the 40 sets they have played in the process.

The Wildcats will compete in a tournament at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills on Saturday, Sept. 14. Oxford will then face Clarkston at home on Thursday, Sept. 19.