Jay County spikers beat Broncos in three

DALEVILLE — The Patriots’ middle blockers have played a key role in the team’s success. That was no different when the team traveled west to take on the Broncos.

Mya Kunkler led the Jay County High School volleyball team past the Daleville Broncos 25-19, 25-19, 25-22 on Monday.

Kunkler put down 10 balls in the victory and added six blocks as well. Another middle, Maria Hemmelgarn, followed with five kills and five blocks. Hallie Schwieterman matched Hemmelgarn with five kills.

Elizabeth Barnett and Carley Trinidad led the Patriots (17-8) with three aces apiece.

Other leaders in the match against Daleville (14-12) included Paisley Fugiett with 20 assists and Kayla Jetmore with 11 digs.

JCHS will wrap up the regular season on Thursday at New Castle before the sectional.

Three recognized

Three players from the Jay County boys tennis team were honored by the Allen County Athletic Conference on Monday.

Paul Dirksen, a freshman, earned a spot on the first team All-ACAC for his season at No. 1 singles along with sophomore No. 1 doubles duo Kadyn Carpenter and Alex Miller.

Dirksen finished the season with a 14-9 record, while Carpenter and Miller finished 9-10. Dirksen earned the lone point against Bluffton and beat Adams Central’s No. 1 singles player, but lost to Kade Sprunger of South Adams.

The sophomores fell to Bluffton, but cruised past Adams Central and South Adams.

Track changes

The OHSAA announced divisional alignments for the 2026 spring sports season and Fort Recovery will see some changes.

Track and field has expanded from just three divisions to five for the first time this year. Rather than competing in Division III, which previously was the smallest division, the Tribe girls will be in Division IV, while the boys will run in Division V.

Both baseball and softball will remain in Division VI out of seven.