By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School volleyball team led 2-1 but ultimately lost a five-set battle to visiting Carey on Saturday, September 20.

The Pirate girls fell to 11-5 with the 23-25, 27-25, 21-25, 28-26, 15-11 defeat. The Blue Devils rallied to win the last two sets, including an overtime thriller in game four, to pull off the comeback.

Kendall Stackhouse led Bluffton with a season-high 23 kills. Camryn Fruchey knocked down a dozen kills, and Karlie Lora smacked down 10 kills.

Adelyn Althaus dished out a season-best 33 assists. The versatile Fruchey passed out 21 helpers.

Vanessa Cross mustered up 32 digs, while Gracie Warren came up with 19. Lora added 12 digs.

Fruchey and Kari Diller each fired three aces.

Lora led the team with three blocks. Libby Hocanson and Stackhouse came up with two blocks apiece.

The Bluffton JV and freshman squads each won, 2-0.

Bluffton (2-0 NWC) hosts Columbus Grove (7-7, 2-1 NWC) on Tuesday, Sept. 23. The Pirates then entertain Crestview (7-3, 3-0 NWC) in another key league spike showdown Sept. 25.