Jay County sweep Stars

After an 0-9 start to the season last year, the goal was simple. The Patriots wanted to get their first win as soon as possible and build from there.
They’ve done that and more.
The Jay County High School volleyball team opened 0-2, but won their final two matches in the Jay County Invitational Saturday and picked up their third straight victory Monday with a 25-16, 25-15, 25-22 sweep of the visiting South Adams Starfires.
“The kids are feeling pretty good about themselves,” said JCHS coach Fred Medler. “They know they’re making some mistakes … and they know when they’re making the mistakes. But they’re feeling pretty good and playing pretty well for the most part.
“They’re just playing confident.”
The Patriots never won three straight matches last season, and had back-to-back wins only once.
“I think it just gives us more excitement and helps us to play better because we know we can do it,” said junior Mariah Hornaday of picking up their first win early. “We don’t feel like we’re in a hole right away.”
Jay County (3-2) rarely experienced any sort of deficit against the Starfires, who they lost to in four games last season. It took the lead for good at 4-3 in the first game and never trailed in the second.
The third game was close most of the way, but back-to-back Hornaday kills broke a tie at 18 and the Patriots never trailed again.
And even when the team does fall behind, senior setter Tanner Martin said it believes in its ability to fight back.
“We get pumped up and play together, and then we play awesome,” said Martin, who finished with 15 assists and five digs. “I think we can pretty much overcome anything if we play together.”
Serving helped key some big runs for the Patriots against SAHS with Hornaday delivering back-to-back aces during a 5-0 run in the opening game. Alyssa Rigby and Martin each had aces during a 7-1 run to start the second game, and the team racked up 11 for the match.
Hornaday led the team at the net as she finished with 13 kills and four blocks, and she also scored 10 points. Fellow junior Maria Murphy added 10 kills.
“Hornaday has just been an animal for us this year,” said Medler. “She’s been doing huge stuff for us. We’re understanding that as a group. We’re wanting to feed her.”
Chelsea Bollenbacher led South Adams (2-6) with nine kills, five digs and two blocks. Taylor Farlow added 13 digs, six kills and a pair of blocks.

Junior varsity
South Adams won the junior varsity match, rallying from a game-one defeat to beat the Patriots 15-25, 25-19, 15-5.
Ashley Motter finished with six points, three digs and three aces for Jay County (1-4). Abbi Dunlavy had 10 points, and Katie Aker, Jade Secor and Sam Homan each notched three kills.
Bailey Weatherhead totaled six digs, and Paige Lennartz had four assists.[[In-content Ad]]