Barnett leads Patriots past Woodlan

WOODBURN — The first time the Patriots faced an Allen County Athletic Conference team, they got out of the gym as early as possible with a sweep.

When they went north to face the Warriors, they couldn’t end it in three, but still picked up the win.

The Jay County High School volleyball team stayed undefeated in ACAC play as it beat the Woodlan Warriors on Thursday 25-18, 25-12, 25-27, 26-24.

The Patriots (7-4, 2-0 ACAC) had a new offensive leader as Elizabeth Barnett earned 11 kills. Four more Patriots contributed offensively as Hallie Schwieterman had nine kills, Mya Kunkler and Maria Hemmelgarn each put down eight balls and Brenna Schmiesing added seven.

Defense at the net also played a big part in the win as Jay County blocked 13 shots. Kunkler and Hemmelgarn led at the net with nine and eight assisted blocks, respectively.

JCHS also racked up 16 aces on Woodlan (7-3, 0-1 ACAC). Schwieterman led with five aces, while Lani Muhlenkamp served four up and Kayla Jetmore and Paisley Fugiett both had three.

Ball handling leaders were Muhlenkamp with 20 digs and Fugiett with 35 assists.

ACAC loss

BLUFFTON — While Jay County’s boys tennis team has had its best start to a season since Donald Gillespie took over as head coach, they couldn’t beat the Bluffton Tigers as it dropped the ACAC opener 4-1 Thursday.

Paul Dirksen owned the sole victory for Jay County (6-4, 0-1 ACAC) by beating Jacob Ribich 7-5, 6-0 at the No. 1 singles position.

Henry Dirksen nearly forced a third set against Bluffton’s No. 2 singles player, Reid Abbett, but fell 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).

Kadyn Carpenter and Alex Miller also lost the No. 1 singles match in a tie breaker as Coy Lantz and Lance Moser snuck out a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) win.

Gabe Overton and Brock Wasson pushed Parker Christal and Dane Fiechter in the No. 2 doubles match, but were defeated 7-5, 6-2.

Clark Wellman couldn’t overcome Vince Lambert in a 6-2, 6-1 No. 3 singles loss.

Lead slipped

YORKTOWN — The Jay County boys soccer team couldn’t hold onto an early lead as it lost to the Yorktown Tigers 3-2 on Tuesday.

The Patriots (4-4-1) drew first blood as Jacoby Penrod found the net off an assist from Rockland Beiswanger two minutes into the game.

Penrod paid it forward with an assist to Brody Collins five minutes later to put JCHS up 2-0.

The Tigers (2-6) scored late in the half to bring them within one goal at the intermission.

YHS snuck two more balls past goalkeeper Peyton Yowell, who finished with 11 saves, to claim the victory.

Jay struggles

ALBANY — Jay County’s girls golf team had a tough day at Albany Golf Club on Thursday, leading to a 215-231 loss at the hands of the Delta Eagles.

The Patriots’ best score came from Taven Bently as the junior carded a 56. She made just one bogey on the round, as she took five strokes to finish the 325-yard, par-4 fourth hole.

Delta’s Addisen Condie earned match medalist honors in her varsity debut as she shot a 52.

Erin Aker followed for Jay County (2-10) with a 57. Aker made par three times on holes No. 2, 3 and 6.

Alexa Ridenour finished with 58 strokes, while Elizabeth Brunswick rounded out the score with a 60.

Reny Lingo and Crystal Swartzentruber both had 63s that didn’t affect the outcome.