By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls tennis team edged visiting St. Marys 3-2 in a close match Tuesday evening, August 25.

The Pirates improved to 4-1 with the victory. The Roughriders dropped to 1-4 after the loss.

Bluffton rolled to victory in the second singles slot behind Hope Luginbill in straight sets. The Pirates also won both doubles matches.

Pirate sophomore Leah Hoffman lost a three-set thriller at third singles by a 10-8 score in the decisive tiebreaker.

The Pirates also captured the second doubles bout in a three-set battle to secure the third point and overall victory.

Pirate seniors Kate Klinger and Ari Bowling defeated seniors Sophie Long and Olivia Tester at first doubles 6-1, 6-3.

Junior Peighton Bowers and sophomore Elana Navarro teamed up to record a three-set win over Roughrider sisters Aleah and Hannah Brandt at second doubles.

Bluffton is scheduled to host defending Western Buckeye League champion Wapakoneta (4-1) on Wednesday.

Match results

1S - Maylee Fischbach (SM) d. Bekah Rehm (B) 6-1, 6-3

2S - Hope Luginbill (B) d. Mackenzie Behr (SM) 6-0, 6-2 

3S - Sophia Zheng (SM) d. Leah Hoffman (B) 2-6, 6-4, (10-8) 

1D – Kate Klinger and Ari Bowling d. Sophie Long and Olivia Tester 6-1, 6-3.

2D – Peighton Bowers and Elana Navarro def. Brandt and Brandt 6-2, 4-6, 6-2