By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls tennis team lost to visiting Western Buckeye League foe Bath 4-1 on Wednesday, August 13.

The defeat dropped the Bluffton record to 1-2 this season.

The second doubles duo of sophomores Leah Hoffman and Peighton Bowers brought home the lone Pirate win of the night. They improved their season record to 2-1 with an epic 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 17-15 triumph.

The first set was a nail-biter, going into a seven-point tiebreaker. After a long and hot match the night before, Bowers and Hoffman showed grit and determination to win the breaker by a 7-4 count. 

The Pirate tandem dropped the second set. Then instead of a full third set, the match came down to a marathon 10-point tiebreaker, which Bluffton won 17-15.

“Pure fight. Pure heart. They battled point for point and came out victorious,” said Pirate head coach Trisha Nieman.

“The rest of our varsity lineup battled hard, and while the scores didn't go our way, the final results don't always reflect the closeness, intensity, and great rallies of each match,” she noted.

“We continue to be proud of each and every player, especially knowing we've had only four practices since the start of the season,” Nieman continued. “All of our JV players have hit the courts in all three matches this week, showing hard work, teamwork and commitment to the sport.”

With senior Hannah Nieman sidelined due to a sore shoulder, junior Kate Klinger again gamely assumed the first singles role and lost 6-0, 6-0.

Junior Ari Bowling fell 6-1, 6-0 at second singles. Junior Willow Angle won her first set at third singles, but ultimately dropped a tough three-setter by a 4-6, 6-0, 6-0 count.

Bluffton’s senior first doubles duo of Claire Blackburn and Maizie Digby was defeated 6-4, 6-1. 

The Pirates entertain Clyde Friday at 5 p.m. The Pirates then host Ottawa Hills Saturday at 10 a.m. to finish a four-match homestand this week.