Bluffton pair wins 2^nd doubles crown / PHOTO provided

By Cort Reynolds

LIMA__The Bluffton High School girls tennis team finished a strong second at the seven-team Lima City Tournament on Saturday, August 8.

Wapakoneta captured the team championship with 30 points. The Redskins took first in four of the five bracket tournaments with undefeated records. 

Bluffton was second with 18.5 points, followed by Bath (15) and LCC in fourth at 14.5. Ottawa-Glandorf took fifth with 13 points, followed by Elida (8.5) and last-place Lima Senior (4.5).

Pirate junior Payton Bowers and sophomore Leah Hoffman teamed up to capture first place in the number two doubles flight.

Freshman Hope Luginbill finished third at the second singles tournament. 

Bluffton senior Bekah Rehm took fourth place in the first singles flight. 

Sophomore Haley Utendorf went 1-2 in the third singles bracket.

Pirate seniors Kate Klinger and Ari Bowling took third place in the first doubles tournament.

Wapakoneta swept all three singles flight titles, and won one of the doubles tournaments.

The Pirates (1-0) are scheduled to play their home opener Monday, August 10. Bluffton won its opener at Defiance 3-2 on Friday.

“It was a great weekend for the Lady Pirates to kick off the season,” said new head coach Don Walters. “Our next match will be Monday at 4 o'clock against Celina at our home courts.”