A promising start turned into another frustrating result for the Washington Demon volleyball team (5-18 overall) Tuesday. The Demons hosted the Mount Pleasant Panthers in a Southeast Conference showdown at Washington High School. After taking game one 25-16, the Demons dropped the final three games in straight sets (13-25, 20-25, 11-25).

Washington head volleyball coach Julliana Berg said after a good start, the girls seem to be playing not to lose. “We play scared and not to lose.” Berg said, “There is a difference between playing not to lose and playing to win and we have to go out there and play without fear.”

Senior Morgan Kimball had several solid swings in game one, recording three kills in the set victory.

Washington resumes regular season play on Thursday, traveling to Tim Grady Gymnasium for a non-conference tilt with the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks (9-10). The two teams met over twice over the weekend in the Mid-Prairie Volleyball Tournament. The Golden Hawks won both meetings in straight sets, defeating Washington in pool play (21-9, 21-11) and in the tournament’s consolation game (25-16, 25-12).