By Cort Reynolds

Bluffton High School sophomore volleyball player Ayla Grandey was named second team All-Northwest Conference in voting by the league coaches recently.

Grandey led the team in kills to help the Pirates finish 13-10 overall and 4-4 in the NWC.

Sophomore setter Gracie Yarnell and sophomore libero Avery Talavinia were named honorable mention all-league.

Allen East junior hitter Soraya Jackson was tabbed NWC Player of the Year.  

Crestview won the league crown at 8-0 as Knight mentor Tammy Gregory was voted NWC Coach of the Year. Leipsic was second (7-1), followed by AE in third (19-4, 6-2).

Three-time defending champion Lincolnview finished fourth at 5-3, with Bluffton fifth (4-4). Ada, Columbus Grove and Delphos Jefferson tied for sixth at 2-6 each. Spencerville came in last at 0-8.

All-NWC Volleyball teams:

1st Team

Soraya Jackson – Junior – Allen East

Cali Gregory – Junior – Crestview

Serenity Siefer – Senior – Leipsic

McKayla Blankemeyer – Senior – Lincolnview

Kasey Brough – Senior – Leipsic

Laci McCoy – Senior – Crestview

Hannah Williams – Senior – Allen East

Breck Evans – Senior – Lincolnview

2nd Team

Ayla Grandey – Sophomore – Bluffton

Myia Etzler – Junior – Crestview

Courtney Sumner – Senior – Ada

Marissa Hermiller – Senior – Leipsic

Elle Richardson – Senior – Allen East

Carsyn Looser – Senior – Lincolnview

Jessa Rostorfer – Senior – Delphos Jefferson

Honorable Mention

Gracie Yarnell – Sophomore – Bluffton

Avery Talavinia – Sophomore – Bluffton