By Cort Reynolds

Seven Bluffton players will compete in the Div. II sectional tournament October 2 and 4 at UNOH in Lima. Three Pirates will play in the singles tournament, with two tandem teams in the doubles flight.

The first qualifying rounds will be played all day on Thursday, with the final rounds held on Saturday for placement.

The top four singles players and top four doubles teams advance to the Port Clinton district October 8 and 11.

Blackburn received a first round bye at sectionals but will play the top seed in the singles draw, Ottawa-Glandorf’s Maggie Schmiedebusch, in round two Thursday.

As the number four singles seed, Nieman got a bye into round two. In the round of 16, she will face the winner between O-G’s Myah Bockrath and LCC’s Lyla Wenger. 

If Nieman reaches the semifinals with two wins she would advance to the semis on Saturday, and automatically qualify for the district tournament next week.

Pirate Ari Bowling takes on Kenton’s McKenna Stanforth in the first singles round Thursday.

Klinger and Angel got a first round bye in the doubles draw. The duo will play the Kenton/Celina first round winner in the round of 16.

Bowers and Hoffman face the LCC duo of Annika Niemeyer and Gracy Malcom in the first round of 32 in the doubles tourney.

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