No. 8 Fort Recovery sweeps ’Cats

FORT RECOVERY — All the Indians can do at this point is try to win matches.

A 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 win Thursday for the Division III No. 8 Fort Recovery High School volleyball team over the Midwest Athletic Conference rival Minster Wildcats, keeps it within striking distance of a share of the MAC title.

The Indians (14-4, 5-2 MAC) currently sit fourth in the conference, while New Bremen, Coldwater and St. Henry all have one MAC loss. Fort Recovery will close its season at New Bremen on Oct. 12 to potentially give the Cardinals their second loss, but will need Coldwater and St. Henry each to drop a match as well in order to have a chance at sharing the MAC crown. The Indians last took the conference title in 1989.

Points came for a variety of players, but Teigan Fortkamp led the way with 11 kills. Mara Pearson was next with eight.

The three middle hitters (Paige Guggenbiller, Karlie Niekamp and Saige Leuthold) and Kennedy Muhlenkamp all added four kills.

The Indians had seven aces compared to eight service errors. Cali Wendel had a strong day behind the service line with four aces, while Kayla Heitkamp added two. Pearson had the other ace.

A majority of the 28 assists were split by Muhlenkamp (14) and Heitkamp (12) while Wendel picked up two.

Minster (11-8, 3-4 MAC) gave away 14 points on hitting errors while combining for a .171 hitting percentage.

Defensively, the Indians were unable to record any blocks, but totaled 25 digs, the largest contribution coming from Wendel with 10.

Low on kills

NEW CASTLE — The Jay County volleyball team suffered a 25-13, 25-14, 25-22 loss Thursday to the sectional rival New Castle Trojans.

The Patriots (12-13) never got into an offensive rhythm. No one broke five kills as Bella Denton, Sophie Saxman and Hallie Schwieterman all had four. Behind them, Maggie Dillon and Mya Kunkler added three each.

Along with leading in kills, Saxman ran the offense, assisting on 15 kills.

Brenna Haines played well defensively, recording 26 digs. At the net, Kunkler had the sole block for Jay County.

Haines led the Patriots behind the line with six service points. Dillon had four, three of which were aces.

The Patriots will return to New Castle on Oct. 12 for the sectional opener against Centerville. The earliest they could see New Castle (24-8) in the tournament would be the championship the night of Oct. 14.

Patriots pull out win

NEW CASTLE — The Jay County junior varsity volleyball ended its season with a strong offensive showing Thursday as it took down the New Castle Trojans 25-14, 20-25, 15-10.

The Patriots finished with an eight-game winning streak that started on Sept. 12 against Adams Central.

Elizabeth Barnett did a little bit of everything for Jay County (14-3). She led the team in both service points with 14 and aces with six. She added 12 digs and four kills to her line as well.

While Barnett led in service points and aces, Maria Hemmelgarn topped the team in kills. She totaled eight, with Hallie Schwieterman close behind with six.

Ella Rigby and Paisley Fugiett ran the offense, combining for 19 assists.

Protecting the net was Kendel Rowles. She blocked two attacks. On the back row, Carley Trinidad led the way with 14 digs.