Spikers do well in Early Bird

The Oxford varsity spikers are holding a record of 9-1-2 after Saturday’s Early Bird Tournament in Goodrich, where they placed in the top four.
The volleyball team went 5-1-1 and defeated Montrose, Cheboygan and Lake Fenton in pool play. They split a match with Imlay City and battled with league foe Lapeer East in the quarter finals.
Although East took the first game, Oxford regrouped and defeated them in the second and third games before advancing to the semifinals against North Branch.
The Spikers lost 25-20 and 25-15 in their final game of the tournament day. ‘I am very pleased with our outcome,? Coach Kristi McDevitt said. ‘We are still very new as a team and still improving each and every day. To come to this highly competitive tournament and make it to the top four out of 20 is a great accomplishment.?
McDevitt said senior captain Kaitlin DuCharme was one of the stand-outs of the day, with 40 kills, seven aces and 24 digs. Sophomore Brittany Moncrieff had 30 kills and 22 digs.
Junior Karlyn Stroope had her best blocking day of her varsity career with 10 solo blocks and three block assists. She also finished with 20 kills.
Junior setter Laura Brown was 70 for 71 in setting and had 56 kill assists. ‘We show a lot of promise and desire to compete with good teams,? McDevitt said about her girls. ‘But we still have to continue to improve and reach new heights together.?
Oxford will host their invitational with Clarkston and Rochester Adams tonight at 5:30 p.m.
Junior Varsity
The Oxford junior varsity volleyball team traveled to Mott Community College for their first tournament of the season on Saturday.
The girls went undfeated and brought home a first place trophy after beating New Lothrop in the finals 21-18, 21-16. Freshman Taylor Carpenter had 24 kills, junior Katelyn McCormick had 11 kills, sophomore Hannah George had 13 kills and 10 solo blocks and freshman Danielle Bauman had 23 aces and 24 kill assists. Their record stands at 9-1 overall.
Freshman
The Oxford freshman volleyball team also had an impressive day at the Fenton Invitational on Saturday.
The girls went 5-1, but lost the semi-finals to Ann Arbor Huron. Valerie Anderson had 16 kills, three blocks and 10 aces, Marissa Manzella had 16 kills and two blocks and Emily Brooks had seven kills, 39 kill assists and 30 aces. Their record stands at 7-1 overall.