Jay sweeps Knights

The Patriots have never beat the Knights under Donald Gillespie’s tenure. That changed Thursday afternoon.

The Jay County High School boys tennis team beat the Norwell Knights for the first time since Gillespie took over the program in 2021 with a 5-0 sweep on Thursday.

Paul Dirksen nearly lost the first set of the No. 1 singles match to Braylon Troutt, but pulled it out for a 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 win.

Henry Dirksen had a closer second set but also came out on top of Rylan Heyerly in the No. 2 singles match 6-2, 7-5.

Clark Wellman had little trouble claiming the point from the No. 3 singles position as he rolled through Dylan Randol for a 6-1, 6-1 win.

Kadyn Carpenter and Alex Miller forced a supertie breaker at the No. 1 doubles position, eventually claiming the point at 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 10-6.

Gabe Overton and Brock Wasson also won the No. 2 doubles match over Brady Watkins and Christian Werling 6-2, 6-2.

Lopez leads

MONROEVILLE — Jay County’s girls soccer team picked up its first Allen County Athletic Conference victory of the year, beating the Heritage Patriots 2-1.

Both goals came from Aixa Lopez. The first came with 28 minutes, 48 seconds remaining in the first half as freshman Charlee Peters notched her first career assist.

London Lloyd later assisted Lopez to put Jay County (2-0, 1-0 ACAC) up 2-0 on Heritage (0-1-1, 0-1 ACAC) with 5:29 remaining in the first half.

Maleah Parsons just gave up one goal to Heritage — it came midway through the second half — but otherwise quieted the HHS to secure the victory.

JCHS will take a 2-0 record into its home match against Coldwater on Aug. 28.

Jackson scores

MONROEVILLE — The Jay County junior varsity girls soccer team found the net once in its 1-0 win over the Heritage Patriots on Thursday.

Jay County (2-0) controlled the midfield and the defensive line of Araitz Lekue Margo, Kali Newell, Milee Rickard and Gabby Raines kept the ball from getting near the goal throughout the game.

When shots did sneak through, a combined effort from Avery Snow and Raylin Hummer in the goal prevented Heritage from scoring.

Ayla Jackson scored the lone goal for JCHS with 9:32 remaining in the game.