JCHS 0-3 in invite

A 16-11 lead slipped away from the Patriots in the opening game of their tournament Saturday. It marked the start of a long day.

The hosts went 0-3 and did not win again in finishing last in the four-team Jay County Invitational field.

Northeastern won the event with Marion second and Norwell third.

The Patriots used an 8-1 run to push to their five-point lead as it opened the tournament against Norwell, but the Knights responded with an 11-1 run of their own to reclaim control. Norwell had three aces during that stretch as it finished the opening game with five.

JCHS tried to return the favor by rallying from a 19-11 deficit in game two, but missed two opportunities to finish the game and force a third. Norwell fought the Patriots off for the 25-20, 28-26 while Jay County went on to losses of 25-17, 25-18 to Northeastern and 25-19, 25-23 to Marion.

Kelsey Wood paced the Patriots (0-4) in the tournament with 18 kills, 17 digs and eight points. She had seven kills against Marion and six versus Northeastern.

Ashley Langenkamp had 20 points and 19 assists, and Liz Walker totaled 16 assists and nine points. Lacey Randolph came up with 21 digs, Maria Murphy had 12 points and three blocks and Becky Muhlenkamp had eight digs.

Marion took the top spot in junior varsity action with Jay County second.[[In-content Ad]]