By Cort Reynolds

Bluffton High School led Celina 2-0 in the girls tennis season opener Monday evening at the Ohio Northern University courts when rain ended play. The Pirate girls were on the verge of victory when play had to be stopped with three matches tied in the third set.

Lady Pirate junior Brooke Camper won in straight sets at first singles 6-3, 6-2 over senior Michelle Elston.

The Pirate duo of sophomores Kaleigh Camper and Brooklyn Moser won easily at second doubles 6-0, 6-2.

Pirate junior Caitlyn Couch was tied in a close third-set battle at second singles 6-4, 3-6, 2-2 when play stopped.

Bluffton freshman Hannah Nieman was also tied 2-6, 7-5, 1-1 in the third set at third singles when the rain hit.

Soph Ava McCamey and junior Leah Klingler were also knotted up in the third set when play was halted. The Bluffton tandem lost the first 1-6 before rallying to win set two 6-2. The third set was tied 5-5.

The Pirate girls visit Shawnee on August 9, and then play Kenton at ONU on August 11.