By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School volleyball team swept host Van Buren in a non-conference match Thursday evening, October 12, to end the regular season.

The Pirates improved to 18-4 overall with the decisive 25-22, 25-18, 25-17 win. 

Van Buren dropped to 13-8 after the loss.

Junior Ayla Grandey slammed 15 kills to pace the Pirate offense.

Freshman Karlie Lora contributed 11 kills and a pair of blocks.

Kendall Stackhouse hammered 10 kills.

Setter Gracie Yarnell doled out 34 assists and came up with 16 digs. 

Libero Avery Talavinia mustered 14 digs. 

Vanessa Cross hustled up 10 digs and dealt two aces.

Bluffton has won 16 of its last 18 matches, with its only losses in that span coming to NWC leaders Crestview and Leipsic in the same week.

The Bluffton reserves also beat the Black Knights 2-1 to improve to 19-3 this season.

The Pirates host Ottawa-Glandorf (10-12) Monday, October 16 at 6 p.m. in the sectional first round.

The winner advances to visit fourth seed Parkway (11-10) Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7:15 p.m. in round two of the tournament.