By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School tennis team defeated visiting local rival Ada 3-2 in a dual makeup match Tuesday evening, May 10.

Bluffton improved to 5-6 after the victory. 

The Bulldog record dropped to 4-5 with the loss. 

Bluffton narrowly won the battle between the only two Northwest Conference teams to sport varsity spring tennis squads. 

Pirate sophomore Wade Ginther defeated Ada junior Amelia Alexander at third singles in a close two-hour match featuring long rallies. Ginther prevailed 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) to clinch the match.

At first doubles, Pirate junior Eli Wenger and senior Will Neff beat the Bulldog duo of Julia Kamatali and senior Isaac Williams 6-3, 6-3. 

The Pirate second doubles tandem of freshmen Jack Brauen and Branson Hilty defeated Ada senior Riley Ferguson and freshman Nate Williams 6-3, 6-1.

Senior Luke Shadle lost to Bulldog senior Dexter Woods 6-1, 6-1 at first singles.

Junior Braeden Ackerman lost in straight sets at second singles to Ada junior Brendan Jameson, also by a 6-1, 6-1 count.