By Cort Reynolds

MILLER CITY – The Bluffton High School volleyball team lost a five-set thriller to Ottawa-Glandorf in Northwest 2 Div. V district final tournament play on Thursday, October 24, at Miller City to end their strong season in heartbreaking fashion.

The top-seeded Pirates won two of the first three sets to seize the lead, but were not quite able to close O-G out.

The Titan girls rallied to win 23-25, 25-23, 12-25, 25-22, 15-10 and snap Bluffton’s seven-match win streak.

The loss ended the Pirate season with a fine record of 20-4.

Second-seeded Ottawa-Glandorf improved to 18-7 after the comeback to win their first district crown since 2020. The Western Buckeye League champs went 9-0 in league play, but only 9-7 in non-league action. ▶︎

Bluffton senior Ayla Grandey smashed 15 kills to lead the hitting attack in her Pirate finale. Grandey also fashioned four blocks and dealt two aces.

Junior Kendall Stackhouse drilled 13 kills and came up with three blocks. 

Sophomore Karlie Lora knocked down 13 kills as well. The versatile Lora also mustered 16 digs, three blocks and served two aces.

Senior setter Gracie Yarnell dished out 37 assists. She also served three aces.

Senior Avery Talavinia hustled up 24 digs. Junior Vanessa Cross contributed 18 digs and served up two aces.

Junior Libby Hocanson served two aces.

With the comeback win, the Titans advance to the regional semifinals Thursday, October 31 at Elida Fieldhouse. Once there, they will face Archbold (19-4), the Northwest 1 district winner and Northwest Ohio Athletic League champion.

In a finish similar to the Pirate/Titan match, second-seeded Archbold rallied to win the last two sets and beat top seed Pemberville Eastwood 3-2 at Oregon Clay in their district final Thursday night.

The Archers rallied to win 25-10, 15-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-13 and snap Eastwood’s string of consecutive wins at eight. 

O-G swept visiting Eastwood 3-0 Sept. 9 by a 25-22, 25-22, 25-23 count, but the Titans draw Archbold instead. 

The regional finals are at Elida Saturday, November 2 at 2 p.m. The state final four is November 7-8 at Wright State University.

Five Pirate seniors – Grandey, Yarnell, Talavinia, Faith Combs and Kally Cotter – played their final match for Bluffton.