The Bluffton volleyball team lost a close five-setter at home to state-ranked Lincolnview in a Northwest Conference battle Thursday evening, September 30.

The Lady Pirates fell to 10-7 overall and 2-3 in the NWC with the 25-16, 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 15-12 defeat.

Lincolnview, ranked 16th in the Ohio Div. IV poll, improved to 11-3 overall and 5-0 in the NWC with the hard-fought victory. The teams traded set wins as Lincolnview took the first, third and fifth sets.

Bluffton rallied to tie it twice with wins in the second and fourth games, but came up just short in the decisive fifth set.

Senior Kylie Stackhouse led Bluffton with a whopping 23 kills and two blocks. Senior Haelynn Bischoff knocked down 10 kills, and freshman Ayla Grandey hammered nine kills.

Senior setter Skyler Scoles doled out 18 assists and mustered up nine digs.

Senior Sophie Bricker led the team with 18 digs and added two aces. Classmate Kylie Monday came up with 16 digs. 

Avery Talavinia served up four aces, while Olivia Siferd made one block.

Seeking an NWC three-peat, Lincolnview has now won 21 straight league matches. They remain atop the NWC at 5-0, just ahead of Leipsic and Crestview, who are tied for second at 5-1 in league play.

The Lancer girls also won the JV match, 2-1.

Bluffton plays at Patrick Henry (5-9) in a non-league match Monday, October 4. The Pirate girls then resume conference play at Spencerville (9-6, 1-4 NWC) Tuesday, Oct. 5.