By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Northwest Conference runner-up Bluffton High School volleyball team placed two standouts on the 2025 all-league first team in voting recently conducted by the conference coaches.

The Pirates finished second in the NWC with a 6-1 record, and are 15-7 overall.

Bluffton 6-0 senior hitter Kendall Stackhouse was named first team All-NWC, as was versatile junior Karlie Lora. Stackhouse leads Bluffton with 278 kills. The 6-1 Lora has hammered 220 kills, made 48 blocks and hustled up 144 digs.

Pirate seniors Vanessa Cross and Libby Hocanson earned second team all-league notice. Libero Cross has mustered up 327 digs and served 34 aces. The 5-11 Hocanson has hit 131 kills and made 30 blocks.

Well-rounded 5-11 sophomore setter Camryn Fruchey was named honorable mention All-NWC. She has passed out 380 assists, hit 80 kills, dealt 37 aces and made 20 blocks.

Crestview won the NWC title at 7-0, followed by Bluffton (6-1). Lincolnview was third (5-2), followed by Columbus Grove (4-3), LCC (3-4), Allen East (2-5), Spencerville (1-6) and Delphos Jefferson (0-7).

2025 NWC Player of the Year: Kaci Gregory – Junior – Crestview
2025 NWC Coach of the Year: Tammy Gregory – Crestview

1st Team
Kaci Gregory – Junior – Crestview
Kendall Stackhouse – Senior – Bluffton
Kara Suever – Junior – Lincolnview
Ila Hughes – Sophomore – Lincolnview
Haley McCoy – Senior – Crestview
Karlee Lora – Junior – Bluffton
Aubrey Schroeder – Sophomore – Columbus Grove
Carolina Kill – Senior – Lima Central Catholic

2nd Team
Lydia Sarka – Freshman – Columbus Grove
Lillie Best – Senior – Crestview
Brooklynn Byrne – Junior – Lincolnview
Aniya Prowant – Senior – Allen East
Vanessa Cross – Senior – Bluffton
Emily Lichtle – Senior – Crestview
Makynlee Dickinson – Sophomore – Lincolnview
Libby Hocanson – Senior – Bluffton

Honorable Mention
Aleena Nickles – Sophomore – Allen East
Saige Benroth – Junior – Columbus Grove
Tatum Schwartz – Sophomore – Spencerville
Allison Post – Senior – Spencerville
Camryn Fruchey – Sophomore – Bluffton
Elyse Fortman – Senior – Columbus Grove
Alissa Gallemeier – Junior – Delphos Jefferson
Nora Perkins – Freshman – Crestview
Ella Downing – Senior – Allen East
Annabel Horstman – Sophomore – Lincolnview
Kate Brinkman – Freshman – Delphos Jefferson
Claire Brinkman – Sophomore – Delphos Jefferson
Alyssa Donley – Sophomore – Lima Central Catholic