The Nighthawks from First Flight High School made the long trip from Kill Devil Hills to Clinton on Tuesday afternoon for a second round playoff match with the Lady Dark Horses. The long trip seemed to have no adverse effect on the Lady Hawks as they dispatched the home team in straight sets, ending the Lady Horses season and advancing to the second round with the 3-0 win.

First Flight playing a fast paced, offensive minded brand of volleyball jumped out to an early lead and before Clinton could regroup the Lady Nighthawks held a two sets to none lead. In the first set First Flight roared out to an early lead and held off the Lady Horses winning 25-19. First Flight opened another early lead in the second set and never looked back, blasting the Lady Horses 25-13 to open up the commanding two sets to none lead.

Clinton looked as if they had regrouped as they opened their own early lead going up by ten at 17-7 before the Lady Hawks took total control of the match and mounted a rally. Scoring point after point First Flight tied the score at 22-22 then powered past the Lady Horses to take the third set 25-22 to eliminate Clinton from the playoffs and end what has been a very good season for the Lady Dark Horses.

After the game Clinton head coach Jennifer Edgerton said, “First Flight played at a much faster pace than we are accustomed to. Nobody in our conference plays to that speed so we have not played anyone that plays to that fast all year. We did a poor job moving and covering our tips.” Edgerton was disappointed with the loss but admitted that the Lady Horses had had a good season, adding, “I have to mention our Seniors, without them we would not have had this kind of season, they were great leaders and helped us to a conference championship. They set a great example for our younger players and we will benefit from their leadership into next season.”

Clinton wraps up the season at 20-5 overall and a 12-2 conference mark that was good for their first Four County Conference Championship.

By Mike Carter

Sports Writer

Clinton’s Francesca Juaregui digs a First Flight spike during the first set. The Lady Nighthawks eliminated the Lady Horses from the playoffs with a straight set win. To view more photos from this match, visit the sports section on atthe18foto.smugmug.com.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_DSC_8620.jpgClinton’s Francesca Juaregui digs a First Flight spike during the first set. The Lady Nighthawks eliminated the Lady Horses from the playoffs with a straight set win. To view more photos from this match, visit the sports section on atthe18foto.smugmug.com.

Sophia Owen, #1, serves during the third set on Tuesday night. Clinton dropped the match to First Flight and was eliminated from the playoffs after a very successful season that saw the Lady Horses amass 20 wins and a conference championship. To view more photos from this match, visit the sports section on atthe18foto.smugmug.com.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_DSC_8665.jpgSophia Owen, #1, serves during the third set on Tuesday night. Clinton dropped the match to First Flight and was eliminated from the playoffs after a very successful season that saw the Lady Horses amass 20 wins and a conference championship. To view more photos from this match, visit the sports section on atthe18foto.smugmug.com.