Middles push Patriots past Starfires

BERNE — The Patriots got themselves going downhill.

Momentum keeps building for the Jay County High School volleyball team as it picked up a 23-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-12, 15-10 comeback victory over the Class 2A No. 9 South Adams Starfires on Tuesday to win its fifth consecutive match and remain first in the Allen County Athletic Conference standings.

The Patriots (13-6, 4-0 ACAC) recorded 41 kills in the match. Hallie Schwieterman powered the offense with 11 kills, while Maria Hemmelgarn followed with nine. The other middles, Mya Kunkler and Brenna Schmiesing, each had six or more kills.

The defense at the net also showed out as Jay County blocked 20 shots from South Adams (16-6, 2-2 ACAC). Kunkler had a team-high 14 blocks, 10 of which were assists, while Hemmelgarn had seven and Schmiesing added six.

Schwieterman and Lani Muhlenkamp both had strong days behind the service line with three aces each.

Paisley Fugiett led JCHS with 30 assists and 24 digs. Muhlenkamp followed with 20 digs, while Kayla Jetmore and Elizabeth Barnett each added 18.

Another win

MUNCIE — Jay County’s boys tennis team picked up its second 5-0 win over the Muncie Central Bearcats on Tuesday.

Clark Wellman ran through Karter Hyneman 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 3 singles match.

Paul Dirksen and Henry Dirksen also picked up points from the No. 1 and 2 singles positions for the Patriots (12-5). Paul Dirksen beat Caleb Byrn 6-2, 6-0, while Henry Dirksen beat James Sue 6-3, 6-0.

Kadyn Carpenter and Alex Miller played a close first set of the No. 1 doubles match, but pulled it out to defeat Adrain Collins and Tyko Holowell 7-5, 6-1.

Gabe Overton and Brock Wasson got through one set before Marcus Cupp and David Miller defaulted the No. 2 doubles match to hand over a 6-1, 2-0 victory.

Fort falls

FORT RECOVERY — Division VII No. 4 Fort Loramie took down the Fort Recovery volleyball team 25-13, 25-19, 25-20 on Tuesday.

The Indians (4-10) totaled 20 kills in the match with six coming from Cameron Muhlenkamp. Bridget Homan and Alexis Grisez each added five kills, while Brynn Willmann and Kenna Dues put down two balls each. 

Willmann and Homan both patrolled the net, sending back four shots from Fort Loramie (11-6) apiece. Grisez added two more blocks, while Muhlenkamp had one.

Other leaders for Fort Recovery were Willmann with three aces and Kayla Gaerke with 13 digs.