Jay Co. sweeps Tigers

Bella Denton only had one block in the Patriots’ first Allen County Athletic Conference matchup, but it was a big one.

Denton’s block was the final point in the Jay County High School volleyball team’s 25-17, 25-19, 27-25 sweep of the Bluffton Tigers on Tuesday.

To go with her match-ending block, Denton constantly attacked the ball to earn a team-high 11 kills. Mya Kukler added nine kills.

Supporting the middle hitters was Sophie Saxman with 22 assists.

Maggie Dillon tallied five digs to lead the Patriots (3-3, 1-0 ACAC). Dillon, Lani Muhlenkamp and Brenna Haines combined for 13 aces during the match. Haines had the most with six.

The junior varsity also swept the Tigers 25-16, 25-11.

Jay County dominated Bluffton when Kayla Jetmore was serving the ball. She served up a team-high eight aces and 17 points. She also had three digs.

The top attackers were Kendel Rowels and Maria Hemmelgarn with three kills apiece. Rowels also had the only block.

Paisley Fugiett and Ella Rigby both had five assists in the match.

Defense stiffles

SELMA — Jay County’s girls soccer team smothered the Wapahani Raiders on defense in the Patriots’ 4-0 victory on Tuesday.

Jay County (2-4-1, 1-3 Allen County Athletic Conference) outshot the Raiders 41-4 because of a strong presence by the midfielders and defense. 

The Patriots took the ball away 141 times in the match to limit Wapahani’s shots on goal. Aixa Lopez had the most with 19 steals, 11 of which came in the second half.

Lopez also had Jay County’s only assist in the match. She set up Jenna Dues for her first goal of the match at the 29:45 mark in the second half. Dues also scored unassisted eight and a half minutes later.

Jay County’s first-half goals were scored by Lopez and Morgan DeHoff. Lopez opened the scoring for the Patriots 13 minutes into the game while DeHoff’s goal came with 3:24 left in the half.

Angel Clairday saved all four shots the Raiders took.

Golfers struggle

YORKTOWN — The Jay County girls golf team finished third in a tri-meet against Yorktown and Wes-Del on Tuesday at The Players Club at Woodland Trails.

The Patriots shot 263 as a team while Wes-Del topped Yorktown 223-228.

Maddy Snow shot the low for the Patriots (2-9, 1-5 ACAC), coming in at 57 strokes. Snow’s lone bogey came on the 354-yard, par-4 16th hole.

Yorktown’s Kayleigh Agugliaro and Wes-Del’s Jane Armington were co-match medalists, each shooting 40.

Brooklynn Bright had the next best score for Jay County with a 66.

The No. 3 score came from Meah Devoe with a 68.

Both Whitney McIntire and Brooklyn Zimmerman shot 72s to round out the Patriots’ score.

Patriots sweep

The Jay County Junior High volleyball team swept Bluffton-Harrison Middle School 25-19, 25-19 on Tuesday.

Kenady Lyons’ four kills spearheaded the Patriots’ offense. She also had two aces, a dig and an assist.

Just under half of Jay County’s points were scored on aces (23). Emalyn Homan had the most with six. Peyton Schoelein had five, Brenna Ruble added four and Amelia Heath had three. Gabi Petro tied Lyons with two aces while Avery Lykins added one.

Homan assisted teammates three times, the most of any Patriot. Health also had two.