Tennis rally falls short

BLUFFTON — The Patriots almost pulled off the rally.

After losing the first two matches at No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles, the Patriots tied the overall score and had a chance to squeak away with a win.

Jay County High School’s boys tennis team had its comeback fall short in a 3-2 setback to Allen County Athletic Conference rival Bluffton Tigers on Thursday.

Simon Dirksen won his No. 3 singles match against Blake Moser 6-4, 6-1, to get the rally started for the Patriots (7-5, 0-1 ACAC). Abraham Dirksen, the Patriots’ No. 2 singles player, rebounded from losing the first set to get a 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory against Drew Presslere to tie the overall match.

Brothers Gavin and Sam Myers lost at No. 1 doubles 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to Dylan King and Max Stoppenhagen as the comeback came up short.

Crosby Hensier dropped his No. 1 singles match to Keegan Schwartz 6-3, 6-2.

At No. 2 doubles, Luke Muhlenkamp and Gage Sims suffered a 6-3, 6-3 loss to Preston Daughterty and Logan Reifsteck.



Warriors down Jay

WOODBURN — The Jay County volleyball team had its bid for back-to-back conference wins come up short with a 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 26-24 loss to the Woodlan Warriors on Thursday.

The loss drops the Patriots to 2-5 (1-1 Allen County Athletic Conference).

Madison Dirksen posted team highs in service points (12), kills (eight) and blocks (six) to go with her three aces. Izzy Rodgers was second with 10 points while also adding 20 assists, 10 digs and three aces. Kylie Klopfenstein ended with eight kills, as Abbie Fields tallied seven kills and five aces. Brenna Haines (16) and Grace Brewster (13) had the top two dig totals.

Jay County’s junior varsity team lost, 25-18, 20-25, 15-10.

Sophie Saxman had nine service points, three kills and 11 assists. Bella Denton’s 11 kills were tops on the team.



Boys fall to Tigers

YORKTOWN — Jay County’s boys soccer team fell to the Yorktown Tigers on Thursday, 5-2.

Dylan Knapschafer and Carter Link each had a goal for the Patriots (3-3), who return to Portland to host the Richmond Red Devils on Tuesday for the team’s home opener. Cristian Marentes recorded an assist.

Ian Ruiz and Kaleb Coppock each had four saves in goal for Jay County.

Jay County’s junior varsity team won, 2-1. Mathias Perod and Brenden Runyon both had goals, while Perod also recorded an assist.



JC improves in loss

ALBANY — Jay County’s girls golf team improved 25 strokes from its match on Tuesday but lost to the Delta Eagles on Thursday, 190-227, at Albany Golf Club.

Paityn Chapman and Janae Jacobs both shot 55 to lead the Patriots (4-9), who compete in the Allen County Athletic Conference tournament Saturday at Celina Lynx Golf Club.

Maddy Snow finished with 57, and Rosealynne Smith completed the team total with her round of 60.

Cassandra Coffin also competed, but her 66 did not factor into the overall total.



Girls top Eagles

CONVERSE — Angel Clairday scored twice to lead the Jay County girls soccer team to a 4-0 victory against the host Oak Hill Golden Eagles on Thursday.

It was Clairday’s second career multi-goal game after recording a hat trick in a 10-4 win over Burris back on Aug. 21.

Gabi Bilbrey also had two goals for the Patriots (5-2-1), and Tricia Ison had one save.