By Cort Reynolds

LIMA__The visiting Bluffton High School volleyball team defeated Lima Central Catholic in a four-set Northwest Conference battle on Thursday, September 18.

The Pirate girls improved to 11-4 overall and 3-0 in NWC play with the hard-fought win. 

First-place Bluffton triumphed by a 26-24, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16 score.

The Thunderbirds fell to 6-4 overall and 2-1 in the NWC after the loss.

Kendall Stackhouse led the Pirates in kills with 17. Karlie Lora knocked down 16 kills and came up with six blocks.

Libby Hocanson contributed six kills.

Camryn Fruchey dished out 29 assists. Adelyn Althaus passed out 18 helpers.   

Vanessa Cross hustled up 26 digs. Gracie Warren came up with 15 digs, while Fruchey mustered 10.

Cross and Stackhouse each served up three aces, while Warren dealt a pair of aces.

The versatile Fruchey came up with three blocks, and Peyton Worcester also made three blocks.

The Bluffton junior varsity also beat the Thunderbirds, 2-1.

The Pirates host non-league foe Carey on Saturday morning. They resume NWC play on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at home vs. Columbus Grove (5-7, 1-1 NWC). 

Crestview (3-0 NWC) is the only other remaining unbeaten in conference play. The Knight girls (6-3) visit Bluffton on Sept. 25 in a first-place showdown.