By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON - The Bluffton High School volleyball team swept visiting Northwest Conference rival Spencerville on October 3 to retain sole possession of second place in the league.

The Pirates improved to 17-3 overall and 5-1 in the NWC after the dominating 25-16, 25-11, 25-5 victory. The Bluffton spikers won for the 16th time in 18 matches. 

Last-place Spencerville dropped to 5-13 overall and 1-5 in NWC play with the defeat.

Kendall Stackhouse and Libby Hocanson each smashed nine kills to pace the Pirate hitters.

Ayla Grandey contributed eight kills, while Karlie Lora knocked down six kills for the multi-faceted Bluffton attack.  

Lora also came up with eight digs, dealt five aces and made two blocks. Faith Combs added a pair of blocks.

Setter Gracie Yarnell passed out 25 assists. Vanessa Cross hustled up a team-high 10 digs and also served up three aces. Avery Talavinia mustered seven digs.

The Pirates also swept the JV match 25-15, 25-16. 

First-place Crestview (7-0 NWC) clinched its fourth consecutive NWC title with a sweep of Delphos Jefferson Tuesday. The Knights are 16-4 overall.

The Pirates (5-1 NWC) have the inside track for second place in the league. Columbus Grove and Lincolnview, whom Bluffton just beat Tuesday, are tied for third at 4-2 in the league. 

The Pirates play at Grove (7-10) October 8 in the NWC finale.