Tennis falls before rain

Lightning cut the Patriots match short, but the Knights already had enough wins to take the match.

Jay County High School’s boys tennis team lost to the Norwell Knights 3-0 on Thursday after the match ended early because of lightning.

Abraham Dirksen faced Grant Mishler at the No. 1 singles position. Mishler dispatched Dirksen 6-0, 6-2.

No. 2 doubles pair Liam Garringer and Luke Muhlenkamp fell to Eddie Archibald and Ayden Quintanilla 6-1, 6-0.

Sam Myers and Gage Sims had a 4-2 lead in the second set, but couldn’t hold on as Jayden Payne and Jake hoover came back to win the No. 1 doubles 6-3, 7-5.

Eli Dirksen (No. 2 singles) was up in the second set while Isaac Miller (No. 3 singles) was down when the match ended.

Dirksen fell to Norwell’s Bodie Zimmerman 7-6 (6-4 tiebreaker) in the first set with the second suspended at 5-2 in favor of Dirksen.

Miller beat Gavin Reynolds 6-3 in the first set, with the second ending 2-5 at the suspension.

Jacob Monroe was the only JV player to claim a victory for the Patriots, winning 8-2.

JC shut out

MONROEVILLE — The Jay County girls soccer team couldn’t find the goal on Thursday, getting shut out by Allen County Athletic Conference-rival Heritage 1-0 in the season opener.

The Patriots (0-1, 0-1 ACAC) will host Heritage (1-1, 1-0 ACAC) on Saturday, as the conference moves to a home-and-home series for the 2023 season.

The only goal of the game was scored by Heritage’s Nin Way within the first five minutes of the game. Way was assisted by Ava Smith on the play.

After the initial goal, Angel Clairday went on to make seven saves without giving up another goal.

The Patriots got 11 shots off on the goal but failed to score.

Late comeback

The Jay County JV volleyball team came back from a third-set deficit to take down Delta 25-20, 20-25, 15-12 on Thursday.

Elizabeth Barnett and Maria Hemmelgarn both had four kills to lead the Patriots effort. Not far behind them were Paisley Fugiett and Brenna Schmiesing with three apiece.

Leading the Patriots’ defensive effort was Carley Trinidad, who’s 14 digs led the team.

Ella Rogby was the lead passer for Jay County, racking up 12 assists in the match.

Over 30% of the Patriots’ points came with Fugiett and Kayla Jettmore serving, as they had 10 and nine service points respectively.