The Wildcat Varsity Volleyball team checked into the heartbreak hotel after coming up just short in their district semi-final against Rochester Adams on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
A silence swept through the stunned crowd that witnessed Adams come back from a 2-0 set deficit to beat the Wildcats in five sets.
The Wildcats won a highly competitive first set 25-23, and dominated the second set, beating Adams 25-16.
‘We put the ball exactly where we needed to and kept Adams? defense scrambling,? said Head Coach Kristi McDevitt.
Halfway through the third set, it looked like there would be a district final in the works for the Wildcats as Junior Beth Downs helped build a seven point lead, 20-13, but Adams never quit. They stormed back, scoring 12 consecutive points en route to taking the third set 25-20.
‘We spaced out, which was really disappointing after playing so well the first two games,? McDevitt said.
After that, the comeback was on as Adams cruised in the fourth set, winning 25-16 to set up the final game.
The final set was indicative of the night, with the Wildcats jumping out to an early 4-0 lead. However, Adams battled their way back to take a 5-4 lead.
Trailing 14-8 and facing match point, the Cats reeled off five straight points to pull within 14-13 but couldn’t complete the comeback, losing 15-13.
‘It just seemed like we would have this burst, followed by a lull, then a burst, then a lull. We just couldn’t string anything together,? said McDevitt.
Senior Marissa Manzella finished with 18 kills and 18 digs, while Seniors Valerie Anderson and Keeona Ives nine and seven kills respectively. Senior Victoria LaFramboise recorded 29 kills for the Wildcats.
Oxford completed the season with a 26-18-16 record.