Jay Co. blasts Bruins (09/11/07)

The Patriots had plenty of momentum. And Blackford didn't do much to slow it down.

Following up on its three wins at Saturday's Olympic Athletic Conference tournament, Jay County's boys tennis team breezed past the visiting Bruins Monday with a 4-1 victory.

"We knew Blackford was a little down because they lost six of their seven from last year," said JCHS coach Barry Weaver. "Coming off a day Saturday where we had to play three matches it's kind of nice to have one of these.

"It's always good to get a sectional opponent. That kind of plays in your mind as you go (into the tournament). ... At least maybe this way we have a little mental edge."

Phil Powell turned in his 10th straight win at No. 2 singles as the Patriots pushed their streak of victories to double digits. Jay County (11-1) has not lost since a falling 3-2 to Norwell in the second match of the season, and could break the school record for regular-season victories (12) if it can top Adams Central today and Winchester Thursday.

Powell gave up two games to Alex Williams in the first set of their No. 2 singles match, and then dominated the second for a 6-0, 6-2 victory. He is now 10-4 on the year.

Both Patriot doubles teams turned in second-set shutouts as well.

At the No. 1 spot Thomas McCowan and Heath Rigby (10-5) took the opening set 6-3 over Micah Adkins and Aaron Williams, then had a 5-0 lead as Blackford served to stay alive in the second. The teams traded points and went to deuce three times, but after missing two overhead volleys that could have ended the match Rigby didn't bother letting the final point get that far. He ripped his return of a Bruin serve down the middle for a winner to finish off the 6-3, 6-0 victory.

"Phil has a pretty good run going here," said Weaver. "He's learning to win matches when he's not playing his best. ... If the serve is off a little bit you can find something else to carry you. ... And No. 1 doubles is doing the same thing."

Jay County's No. 2 doubles pair of Mark Alberson and Adam Horn showed no ill effects after suffering their first loss of the season Saturday in their third OAC tournament match.

They also rolled out to a 5-0 lead in the second set, and then used tag-team slams to finish off Kent Hesher and Blake Musselman. Alberson tried first with his overhead blast, and when the Bruin duo managed to return it Horn crushed another slam to cap a 6-3, 6-0 win.

"No. 2 doubles was going along real well and the third match Saturday kind of got under their skin," said Weaver of the duo, which is now 14-1 on the year. "It was good to see them get that second set tonight at love. They wanted really bad to get all-conference (Saturday) and it just didn't happen.

"I think their resolve is even a little stronger now than before because they do have that one blemish and they want to have as good a season as possible."

Horn and Alberson are the only Patriots with a better mark than No. 1 singles player Josh Ludy, who got his shutout set in the opener as he improved to 13-2. The senior finished both sets when Blackford's Adam Durm hit shots into the net, walking away with a 6-0, 6-2 victory.

Junior varsity

Jared Valentine had a perfect evening, winning both matches for Jay County.

Valentine rolled through 16 games, clobbering Nick Ramey 8-0 in his first singles match and topping Keegan Nunez 8-0 in his second.[[In-content Ad]]