3 Pirates make volleyball district squad
By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON – Three Bluffton Pirate volleyball seniors received all-district recognition recently by the area coaches.
Versatile senior setter Gracie Yarnell was voted first team All-District 8. She led Bluffton in assists, and was among the team leaders in digs and aces.
The 5-8 Yarnell dished out 637 assists, made 202 digs and added 49 kills during the regular season. She also served 24 aces.
Hard-hitting senior Ayla Grandey was named to the District 8 second team. The 6-2 Grandey topped the Pirates with 228 kills this regular season, and added 30 aces.
Senior defensive ace Avery Talavinia was voted third team All-District 8. Talavinia led the Pirates in digs with 273.
The three Pirate standouts will play for Team III, coached by Bluffton mentor Kevin King, in the District 8 All-Star Senior Match.
The Pirates finished the regular season with a sparkling 19-3 overall record. Bluffton came in second in the Northwest Conference at 6-1.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Friday, October 30, 2026
- Main St. runway for Trick or Treaters
- October 30 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- What Kind of Paradise author joins book club by Zoom, Nov. 4
- Check out November 2026 events at Bluffton Public Library
- Scarecrow voting ends at midnight, Oct. 31
- Annual meeting and dinner for Senior Center members, November 9
- November 2026 Community Meals at the Senior Center
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Thursday, October 29, 2026
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- Bluffton chamber welcomes six new members in October 2026
- Scam talk with Chief Ryan Burkholder
- Apollo Career Center honored as Gold Star Institution
- Peanut brittle time at the Senior Center begins Nov. 9
- Bluffton University Forum explores faith, hope and care for creation
- Business Collective networking night, Nov. 5
- Radio play staging of It's a Wonderful Life on Nov. 29
- Test-to-Treat not Trick-or-Treat
- If only we could put these fall days on pause