Tribe sweeps Cavs for first place in MAC

COLDWATER, Ohio — The Indians and Cavaliers have been deadlocked at the top of the conference standings through the first four league matches.

They met on the court Thursday night.

The Indians remain at the top.

Fort Recovery High School’s volleyball team, which is ranked sixth in Division IV, swept the Coldwater Cavaliers, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22, at The Palace.

The victory propels the Tribe to 15-1 overall, 5-0 in Midwest Athletic Conference play and sole possession of first place. The Cavaliers, who are ranked fourth in Division III, dipped to 13-3 (4-1 MAC).

Paige Fortkamp and Paige Jutte led the Indian attack with 10 and eight kills, respectively. Forktamp also contributed nine digs, and they both had a pair of blocks. Hope Wendel and Chloe Showalter both registered 12 assists, and Showalter tallied 10 digs. Kierra Wendel had a team-high 12 digs, while Olivia Patch led the Tribe with six blocks.

The Fort Recovery junior varsity team also won, 25-18, 25-18. Grace Guggenbiller tallied nine kills, and Emma Kahlig registered five kills. Audra Bubp led the serving with five aces.



Jay falls 

to sectional rival

WINCHESTER — The Jay County boys tennis team fell to its sectional rival Winchester on Thursday, 4-1.

Sheldon Upp and Gavin Myers teamed for the only Patriot win as they defeated Grant Wagner and Levi Slusher in their No. 1 doubles match, 7-5, 6-4.

At No. 2 doubles, Frankie Crump and Darius Esparza fell to Beman Welch and Drew Loyd 7-3, 7-2.

Crosby Heniser lost his No. 1 doubles match to Alex Pegg 6-1, 6-0, and Simon Dirksen dropped his No. 2 singles match to Nick Dunica 6-0, 6-1. At No. 3 singles, Christian Romero fell 6-2, 6-3 to Ross Culy.

In junior varsity action, Lucas Lyons and Presley Kunkle each had singles wins. Calvin Whitney teamed with Konner Sommers for a doubles win, and Logan McGinnis and Austin Dirksen had a doubles victory as well.



Streak falls short

DECATUR — Jay County’s girls soccer team had a potential winning streak disappear Thursday with a 3-0 setback to host Bellmont.

The Patriots (5-3) had won back-to-back games before the loss to Class 2A No. 9 Bellmont (4-5-3). Bellmont scored all three of its goals in the first half and kept the Patriot offense, which was averaging almost five goals a game, in check. It was the second time this season Jay County had been shut out.

Goalkeeper Tricia Ison turned away 15 shots, one off her career high.

The Patriots return to action at 9:30 a.m. Saturday as they host the Centerville Bulldogs.



Chiefs, Eagles split

DUNKIRK — The East Jay and West Jay middle school seventh and eighth grade volleyball teams split matches Thursday at West Jay.

East Jay won the eighth grade tilt, 25-13, 25-20, while West Jay won 20-25, 25-12, 15-6 in the battle of seventh graders.

Sophie Saxman led the EJMS eighth graders with seven aces and four kills while sharing the team high of eight service points with Brenna Haines. Bella Denton, Danielle May and Riah Champ all had two kills. Haines notched six aces and seven digs.

Morgan DeHoff and Jaelynn Lykins each had one kill for the seventh grade Chiefs. Meredith Dirksen recorded six aces, and Jasmine Esparza collected three aces.

West Jay stats were not provided.



FR beats Cavs

FORT RECOVERY — Fort Recovery’s seventh grade volleyball team struggled in the first set but rebounded to beat the Coldwater Cavaliers on Thursday, 7-25, 29-27, 25-21.

The FRMS eighth graders also won, 25-17, 25-22.

Kennedy Muhlenkamp led the seventh graders with seven kills, Ella Schoen had two kills and Kayla Heitkamp recorded three aces.

Mara Pearson and Teigen Fortkamp had eight kills apiece in the eighth-grade match. Kensey Gaerke contributed three aces.