Dwyer rallies to beat red-hot Oxbridge
WEST PALM BEACH – Dwyer volleyball stood tall against one of Palm Beach County’s hottest teams in the final week of the 2023 regular season.
The Panthers lost the first two sets against Oxbridge Academy on Wednesday but came roaring back to win in five (19-25, 26-28, 25-21, 25-20, 15-12) to stem the ThunderWolves’ recent momentum.
After starting the season with six straight losses, the ThunderWolves (8-8) have come roaring back, winning eight of their last nine games entering Wednesday and putting together a successful season. Dwyer (12-6) the other hand was on a six-game winning streak in early October but lost their last two games against two of the top teams in the county: a five-set loss to Benjamin and a three-set loss to Jupiter.
The Panthers are led by Mila Micunovic in nearly every offensive category. The 6-foot-4 senior has a total of 247 kills on the season, averaging 4.3 kills per set and capping out at an impressive .297 hitting percentage. On the other side of the net, the ThunderWolves’ sophomore outside hitter, Amber McClain, is leading the way for their offense with 183 total kills, averaging 3.9 kills per set and matching her counterpart just slightly with a .297 hitting percentage.
“It’s been something we’ve had to work through all year,” said Dwyer head coach, Wyatt Hamilton. “Learning how to win.”
Here are three takeaways from the Dwyer-Oxbridge Academy matchup:
Dwyer hung in there
With their top offensive player working her way back from having the flu all last week, Dwyer has had to find other ways to score points.
Although not at 100%, Micunovic took some big swings in big moments for the Panthers. Her teammates around her stepped in to pick up the slack, particularly Corinne Cabrera who hit a team high .324, and stayed the course when all the momentum was on Oxbridge’s side. A full team effort pushed them past the finish line in the fifth and final set.
“I think they did a great job tonight,” Hamilton said. “They really found the will to win and take the match rather than the other team just giving it to them.”
Oxbridge struggled to shut the door.
Despite winning seven of their last eight matches, the ThunderWolves struggled to shut the door on the Panthers.
While they were able to keep Micunovic mostly in check only hitting .184 on the match, several unforced errors in critical moments allowed Dwyer to hang around and stay in the match.
Looking ahead
Both teams will close out the regular season Thursday, Oct. 12. Dwyer is set to host West Boca (14-3) and Oxbridge will host Palm Beach Central (16-6).
“Tomorrow is our senior night against West Boca; we’re 1-1 with them on the season,” Hamilton said. “We have the chance to be number one in our district if we win tomorrow so we’re excited for that.”
As they look to close out the regular season, both teams have sights on the big picture of playoffs in their respective district tournaments, which begin Monday.