Patriot volleyball sweeps Blackford

The Patriots made easy work of the struggling Bruins.

Jay County High School’s volleyball team swept the Blackford Bruins on Monday, 25-14, 25-17, 25-15.

The win pushed the Patriots to 11-4 (2-1 Allen County Athletic Conference) on the year ahead of an ACAC tilt tonight against South Adams (16-9, 2-1 ACAC). Blackford, meanwhile, fell to 4-13.

Natalie Miles led JCHS with seven kills, while sharing the team-high of nine digs with Hallie Fields. Sara Hemmelgarn recorded six blocks, five digs, five aces and three kills, while Alana Kunkler contributed six kills, six aces and five blocks. Madison Dirksen and Fields had four kills apiece, and Pacie Denney chipped in 12 assists.

Jay County’s junior varsity team also won, 25-15, 25-14. Abbie Fields, Madison Jetmore, Lilly Hedges and Madison Brunswick had four kills each.



Jay shut out

Jay County’s boys tennis team got shut out against the Bellmont Braves on Monday, 5-0.

Lucas Lyons and Simon Dirksen lost their respective singles matches 6-0, 6-0. Lyons, who made his varsity debut at No. 1 singles, lost to Cole Shifferly, while Dirksen fell to Prestin Siefring at No. 2 singles. Christian Romero lost at No. 3 singles to Charlie Harris 6-1, 6-0.

Sheldon Upp and Gavin Myers lost to Maverick Shifferly and Tanner Hirn at No. 1 doubles, 6-3, 6-1. The No. 2 doubles tandem of Frankie Crump and Darius Esparza fell at No. 2 doubles 6-3, 6-2.



Late scores saves shutout

BLUFFTON — A late touchdown prevented a shutout as the Jay County junior varsity team lost to the Bluffton Tigers, 30-8.

Kadin Ridenour had the lone score for the Patriots (0-4). Drew Powers totaled 125 rushing yards and also had a two-point conversion.

Ben Nichols and Jaydence Brannon both picked off passes, and Mitchell Rockwell had seven tackles.



FR freshmen win

FORT RECOVERY — The Fort Recovery freshman volleyball team knocked off Fort Loramie on Monday, 25-17, 25-12.

Faith Wendel, Abby Knapke, Allysen Fullenkamp and Brooklyn Jutte had three kills apiece for the Tribe (8-0). Fullenkamp also had six assists and four aces, and Knapke finished with nine digs.



Chiefs fall to Eagles

The East Jay Middle School volleyball teams all lost to the Delta Eagles on Monday.

The eighth graders fell 25-14, 21-25, 15-12, the seventh grade squad lost 25-23, 25-20 and the sixth grade A team lost 25-19, 25-19.

Sophie Saxman had five kills for the eighth graders (7-4). Brenna Haines had team highs in digs (14), service points (12) and aces (five). Joske Herndon recorded seven assists and Bella Denton notched two blocks.

Meredith Dirksen led the EJMS seventh graders with three kills, while Cassi Petro and Addison Denney had two kills apiece. Jasmine Esparza tallied two aces while Morgan DeHoff had three assists.

Kayla Jetmore had two aces, two digs and a kill for the Chief sixth graders. Maria Hemmelgarn and Lilly Johnson had one ace each.