Sports

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School volleyball team built an early lead and staved off a Pilot comeback to defeat visiting Defiance Ayersville in a five-set match on Thursday, September 3.

The Pirates improved to 4-4 with the 25-15, 25-22, 13-25, 19-25, 15-11 non-league win.

Ayersville dropped to 2-4 after the close defeat.

Camryn Fruchey drilled 12 kills and dished out 21 assists to pace the victors. She also served up four aces.

Karlie Lora compiled 11 kills, four blocks and 13 digs.

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls soccer team lost 4-0 to unbeaten visiting power Celina on Thursday evening, September 3 at Steinmetz Field.

The Pirate girls dropped to 2-3 with the home defeat.

The WBL Bulldogs improved to 3-0-1 after the shutout win.

Celina scored in the 24th minute to lead 1-0 at halftime, and then put the game out of reach with two goals in the final four minutes.

  • /

Photos by Amy Bettinger Mortimer

UPDATED__Here are the Bluffton Pirate cross country participants for the fall 2026 season. The boys and girls teams are coached by Bill Theisen.

HS Cross Country

  • Front Row: Tala Gipson, Xandra Gatchel, Zaeda Hermiller
  • Back Row: Jora Boisvert, Owen Shoemaker, Coach Bill Theisen, Atticus Prothro, Georgia Hagen
  • Not pictured: Micah DeMarco, Toby Clevidence, Levin Essinger, Ian Scott, Tessa Tarplee

MS Girls Cross Country

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School boys golf team finished a close third in a Northwest Conference quadrangular match at the Bluffton Golf Club course on Tuesday, September 1.

Gibson Meyer of Bluffton finished second in the field of 23 players by firing a round of 41. He came in one stroke behind match medalist Seth Brandt of Lincolnview, who carded a 40.

Pirate Coby Dailey ended up right behind Meyer with a 42. Ethan Fifer carded a 45. Owen Brauen posted a 50 as the fourth Pirate scorer.

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

ELIDA__The visiting Bluffton High School volleyball team defeated winless WBL foe Elida in straight sets on Tuesday, September 1.

The Pirate spikers improved to 3-4 with the decisive 25-14, 25-6, 25-11 road sweep. The Bulldogs dropped to 0-7 after the non-league loss.

Bluffton’s Karlie Lora knocked down nine kills, mustered nine digs, served three aces and came up with two blocks to pace the victors. 

Peyton Worcester smacked down seven kills.

  • /

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School boys soccer team lost 3-2 to visiting non-league power Van Buren on Tuesday, September 1 at Steinmetz Field.

The Pirates fell to 3-2-1 after the close defeat. Perennially strong Van Buren improved to 4-1 with the win.

The Bluffton goals were scored by Jaxton Morris, and Gavin Amstutz via an assist from Chase Kelly.  

Knight junior ace Carson Stone netted all three Van Buren goals.

Bluffton keeper Ryan Blount tallied four saves, while the VB goalie stopped seven Pirate shots on goal.  

Pages