The Dark Horses ladies volleyball team was shut out by conference rivals Midway on Wednesday, suffering their first conference loss of the season.

Though the Horses lost it was a close back-and-forth contest as Midway closed the game in the third set convincingly.

The first two sets ended the same way with both teams having a chance to win the sets. Midway would win the first one narrowly by five points 20-25. In set two, Midway trailed for most of it, but rallied when Clinton hit 17 as they fought all the way back, down by five at that point, to take it 25-20 again.

The Horses had lost all momentum after the Raiders comeback, as Midway handily ended the match by taking the third and final set, 25-13.

The season leaders thus far for the Raiders over the course of nine games are Alyssa Wrench for kills having 43 on the year, 20 blocks led by Madeline Royal and serving aces leader Caitlyn Holland with 21. Digs and receptions leader for Midway is Leah Williams having 117 for digs with 74 on receptions. Lastly, for assist is Mackenzie Chavis with 73.

For the Dark Horses, Taylor Spell leads with 18 kills, Jasmine Ford is the Horses block leader with seven on the year and Addie Sessoms leads in serving aces with two on the season.

Leaders in the Midway match for Clinton were Spell who had 12 kills and Naomi Miller led the Horses in digs with eight.

With their first conference loss the Dark Horses fall to 4-5 overall for the season and drop to 2-1 in the conference. They’ll try to recover from this loss on Thursday as they play another home conference match against Goldsboro.

As f0r the Midway Raiders they continue to roll, with this win they improve to 7-2 overall on the year and remain undefeated in the conference at 3-0. They’ll look to keep winning and try to stay undefeated in conference play in their next game as they host East Duplin in a home conference match on Thursday.

Clinton’s Tyneisha Williams goes for the kill against Midway’s Alyssa Wrench.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_Battle.jpgClinton’s Tyneisha Williams goes for the kill against Midway’s Alyssa Wrench.

Midway’s Leah Williams and Alyssa Wrench battling it out again this time with the Horses on the defense.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_Solo-hit.jpgMidway’s Leah Williams and Alyssa Wrench battling it out again this time with the Horses on the defense.

Midway’s Leah Williams and Alyssa Wrench battling it out again this time with the Horses on the defense.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_DSC_0985.jpgMidway’s Leah Williams and Alyssa Wrench battling it out again this time with the Horses on the defense.

Clinton’s Britt Thornton going for a serve attempt for the Dark Horses.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_DSC_0998.jpgClinton’s Britt Thornton going for a serve attempt for the Dark Horses.
Raiders hand Horses first conference loss

By Michael Hardison

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