Jay Co. volleyball falls in tourney title

MONROEVILLE — The defending champs were in the middle of the field.

The hosts took the title.

In the season-opening Allen County Athletic Conference volleyball tournament on Saturday, the host Heritage Patriots defeated Jay County to win the crown.

South Adams, which defeated Heritage in the final last year, went 2-2 to finish fourth.

After going undefeated in pool play, Jay County (3-1) never got its rhythm back as it lost to the host Patriots, 25-13, 25-20.

Jay County (3-1) opened pool play by beating South Adams (18-25, 25-19, 15-11). It then defeated Adams Central (25-12, 25-19) and Bluffton (25-19, 25-16).

South Adams rebounded from its loss to Jay County by knocking off Bluffton (25-8, 25-17) and Adams Central (25-17, 22-25, 15-6). The Starfires then lost the fourth-place match to Woodlan (25-16, 21-25, 16-14).

Natalie Miles had 26 kills for the tournament to lead Jay County, which also got 20 kills from Hallie Fields and 15 from Alana Kunkler. Olivia Kunkler chipped in 13 kills and had a team-best two blocks.

Kendal Garringer and Sarah Walter had 31 and 22 digs respectively, and Kailee Denney contributed 45 assists. Randi Ferguson and Miles had four aces apiece.

Gabriella Bailey and Carlie Sealscott led South Adams with 19 kills each, and Lydia Loshe followed with 17 kills. Hannah Dull and Bella Bailey tallied 45 and 24 digs respectively. Josie Grabau recorded 40 assists, and Bella Bailey contributed 33 assists.