OXFORD – Opening the season with a win is always the goal, and the ladies of the Oxford Blackhawk volleyball team were determined to make that goal come true – however, the lady Warriors of Walton had other plans.

Oxford was in the driver’s seat after the third set – holding a nice 2-1 lead and staring down the potential final set for the lady Blackhawk win. That is when Walton figured out the Oxford attack and ripped off two back-to-back set wins for the come from behind 3-2 win.

Oxford struggled out of the gates, dropping the opening set at 25-15. Nonetheless, Oxford head coach Kim Martin made some adjustments and the lady Blackhawks were able to come out and take the next two sets at 25-21 and 25-15.

Something switch. Oxford then fell from the 2-1 lead, losing all momentum – as Walton snagged the final two wins at 25-19 and a close 25-22.

Leading Oxford in their five-set match was Allison Beckwith at seven aces, 11 kills, and 14 assists, Andrea Dempsey at four aces and seven digs, Jessie Howe at three aces and six digs, Kelsey Drewniak at five kills and five digs, and Maria Thompson at seven kills.