The standard measuring stick for a start-up high school program is typically in the three to five year range. The Oxford girls volleyball team may be a bit ahead of schedule under head coach Dave Cypher.
Last season, the Wolverines went 2 – 16, losing thirteen 3 – 0 shutouts in their initial campaign. But the team has already topped that mark this season, winning its first three games.
But then this week, Oxford ran into a tough stretch, playing – and losing – three games in three days. They dropped to a 3 – 3 record following Tuesday’s loss to Joel Barlow, Wednesday’s loss to Bethel and Thursday’s loss to Masuk.
Although it was a white wash against the perennial state tournament threat Panthers on Thursday, the Wolverines held their own, showing that they were a team to keep an eye on.
“We are young, there is no doubt about that,” said Cypher. “We have two seniors, one is a starter. That bodes well for next season when we have most of the core players back.”
Assistant coach Marsha Ehorn and freshman coach Allen Aldrige have been hard at work getting the younger players to make a difference.
The Masuk Game:
The Wolverines – in spite of getting shutout by a 3 – 0 margin – gave the Panthers all they bargained for with three tight games.
Game one (25 – 22) turned out to be a marathon that saw 14 ties before Masuk was able to pull away. Senior captain Jackie Morrisey (12 kills, 6 blocks) was a force on the net for Oxford as they would not go away.
“They may be a young team but they came out in game one ready to play,” said Masuk head coach Tamara DeBerry.
Junior captain Taylor Barbieri (8 assists, 5 service points) kept setting up Morrisey on the net and the senior finished it off with blocks and sideout kills. There wasn’t a run beyond two consecutive points as Oxford continued to stay even with the Panthers.
It was 22 – 22 when Masuk got the serve back and Oxford tried desperately trying to stave off game point. The Wolverines couldn’t close the deal and Erin Craw settled the matter ripping off a three-point serve to put Masuk up by a 1 – 0 margin.
In game two (25 – 16) Oxford fell behind quickly by an 8 – 3 margin before Clare Michalak (six kills) ran off a three-point service to get the Wolverines back in the game. Junior captain Katie Shpak (five kills, five service points) helped to close the gap at 11 – 10 but Masuk regained momentum and pulled away building a 20 – 14 lead.
“I think the biggest thing we need to work on is our communication out on the court,” said Cypher.
“That shows the experience of a veteran team and we haven’t got there yet,” Cypher said. “There were balls that were heading out of bounds that we went after. There were returns that went into the net and with a little more vocal instruction out there we might have pulled off a few points at crucial times.”
In game three (27 – 25) Oxford took a brief 4 – 2 advantage before Masuk took the lead. Craw and Jackie Chila ran away with a couple of service runs and the Panthers built a comfortable 14 – 8 advantage.
Alex Garbatini stepped up huge for Oxford, throwing down three service points to close the gap at 15 – 11. The play of libero Emily Lisewski and front row player Steph Karcher were instrumental in the Wolverines comeback attempt.
Oxford fought back from a 17 – 12 deficit to tie the game at 20 – 20 when Barbieri went on a five point run in serve aided by three blocks and kills from Morrisey.
The game was decided after six ties down the stretch before Brittnee Kindzierski planted a serve into the far corner of the back row that fell in for an ace in the 27 – 25 Masuk win.
Oxford is back at it on Monday when they host Weston at 6:30 p.m., looking to improve on the 3 – 3 record and stop a three game skid.
