Boys soccer claims ACAC title over Heritage

MONROEVILLE — Jay County was forced to share the Allen County Athletic Conference title in 2023.

In 2024, Jay County made sure it claimed the sole title.

The Jay County High School boys soccer team avenge an early-season loss and claimed the outright ACAC title with a 3-1 victory over the Heritage Patriots on Monday.

Jay County (9-2, 3-1 ACAC) let a Heritage (4-4-2, 1-2 ACAC) goal slip past early in the game, but took complete control afterwards.

JCHS got its first goal 8 minutes, 36 seconds, remaining in the first half when Alan Ortiz found freshman Jaxon DeHoff for the score.

Just under 10 minutes into the second half, Jay County took the lead as Levi Muhlenkamp found Blake Collins on a cross near the Heritage goal.

Thirteen minutes later, Dylan Marentes scored on an assist from Raif Beiswanger to take a 3-1 lead that would remain the final 17:49.

In the goal, Peyton Yowell made eight saves to support the offensive effort.

Doubles power win

DECATUR — The Jay County boys tennis team got a big win from its No. 1 doubles team to lift the Patriots over the Bellmont Braves 3-2 on Monday.

Kadyn Carpenter and Alex Miller have needed three sets to determine three of the last four matches. After edging out the first set and falling behind 5-1 to James Miller and Kaden Ramsey in the second, they forced an early ending with a tiebreaker. Carpenter and Miller came out on top for a 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) victory for the win.

Eli Dirksen and Tucker Griffin had an easier time pulling off victories at the No. 1 and 2 singles positions.

Dirksen gave up three games, but defeated Hayden Huss 6-2, 6-1, while Griffin swept Kasy Teeter 6-0, 6-0.

Blake Kahlig and Carter Wellman took a tough loss in a three-hour long No. 2 doubles match to Raiden Knittle and Ben Mendoza 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (8-6).

Gabe Pinkerton fell to Bellmont’s Larry Knous 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 3 singles match.

Jay sweeps

BLACKFORD — The Jay County volleyball team completed a 25-7, 25-21, 25-10 sweep over the Blackford Bruins on Monday.

Hallie Schwieterman led the offense with 11 kills. Jay County’s middle blockers added 22 as well. Maria Hemmelgarn led with nine kills, Brenna Schmiesing put down eight and Mya Kunkler totaled five.

Setter Paisley Fugiett assisted attackers 27 times in the match. She also set the tone at the net with a team-high three blocks.

Hemmelgarn, Schmiesing and Kunkler all followed with two blocks, while Heavyn Willoughby had one.

Brenna Bailey and Elizabeth Barnett led the defensive effort in the back row with 12 and 11 digs, respectively.