By Cort Reynolds

KENTON__The visiting Bluffton High School girls tennis team defeated Kenton 3-2 in a dual match on Monday, September 29.

Bluffton improved to 6-12 after the road win. Kenton fell to 2-12 with the defeat.

Pirate senior Hannah Nieman won at first singles 6-0, 6-1 over Wildcat sophomore Amanda Van Horn.

Bluffton junior Ari Bowling fell 6-2, 6-2 at second singles to Wildcat junior Presley Wilson.

Pirate senior Claire Blackburn lost at third singles to McKenna Stanforth 6-3, 6-4.

Juniors Willow Angel and Kate Klinger triumphed at first doubles by a 6-0, 6-3 count over the Wildcat duo of Katlyn Steveson and Mia Vermillion.

The Pirate tandem of sophomore Peighton Bowers and freshman Leah Hoffman won handily at second doubles 6-1, 6-1 over the Kenton duo of juniors Katie Lowe and Diana Nease.

Bluffton added a last-minute final dual match of the regular season to its schedule for Tuesday at Bath (7-7).

Bluffton then competes in the Div. II sectional tournament October 2 and 4 at UNOH in Lima. The first qualifying rounds will be played all day on Thursday, with the final rounds on Saturday for placement.

The top four singles players and top four doubles teams advance to the Port Clinton district October 8 and 11.