Clinton’s girls tennis team took to the courts last week for the first round of the state playoffs. The team hosted the Durham School of the Arts on Tuesday in the first round of team play and four Lady Horses traveled to Goldsboro on Friday to compete in the Mideast Regionals in individual matches.

In the first round team match the Lady Dark Horses played hard, but the Durham School of the Arts dropped Clinton 6-3. Singles winners for Clinton were Malissa Thames and Halla Gilpin. Gilpin and Sarah Sarp teamed up to take the lone doubles win for the Lady Horses. The team finishes with a record of 15 wins and 3 losses for the season.

Clinton placed four girls in the Mideast Regional, Zoey Harris, Malissa Thames, Nicole Spell, and Blake Daniel competed in the Regional matches on Friday at Herman Park in Goldsboro. In the opening round Zoey Harris defeated Rosemary Lin from the School of Science and Math 7-5,7-6 to advance to the quarterfinal round where she fell to Rachel Watlington from Bartlett Yancy 6-2,6-0. Malissa Thames defeated Emma Brown from Durham School of the Arts 3-6,6-2,6-2 in the first round then dropped straight sets to Hannah Watlington from Bartlett Yancey 6-2,6-0 to bow out in the second round.

Nicole Spell and Blake Daniel competed in doubles play defeating Madison Holt and Ireland Lewis from South Columbus 6-0,6-0 in the first round to advance to the quarterfinals. In the second round Spell and Daniel fell to Jennifer Zou and Katherine Li from the School of Science and Math 6-0,6-2.

After the matches on Friday Clinton Head Coach, Robert Jones said “the girls have had a great season and deserve our congratulations. Another conference title and a good showing in the playoffs, it has been a good year. The team was so close to getting over the hump on Tuesday and all four of our players advanced to the second round in the regional. I am very proud of what they have accomplished this season.”

By Mike Carter

Sports Writer

Clinton senior, Nicole Spell, returns a serve during a match earlier this season. Spell and the Dark Horses wrapped up another great season, winning the conference championship and advancing to the state playoffs. Spell and doubles partner Blake Daniel advanced to the quarterfinals of the MidEast regional before bowing out.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_DSC_8892.jpgClinton senior, Nicole Spell, returns a serve during a match earlier this season. Spell and the Dark Horses wrapped up another great season, winning the conference championship and advancing to the state playoffs. Spell and doubles partner Blake Daniel advanced to the quarterfinals of the MidEast regional before bowing out.