By Cort Reynolds
Six Bluffton High School volleyball players were named to the All-Northwest Conference squads, including three seniors on the first team, in voting recently conducted by the league coaches.
Setter Gracie Yarnell, outside hitter Ayla Grandey and libero/defensive specialist Avery Talavinia were all named first team all-league.
The 5-8 Yarnell dished out 637 assists, made 202 digs and added 49 kills. She also served 24 aces.
The 6-2 Grandey led the Pirates with 228 kills this regular season, and added 30 aces. Talavinia topped the Pirates in digs with 273.
Versatile sophomore middle hitter Karlie Lora and junior outside hitter Kendall Stackhouse were voted second team all-league.
The 5-10 Lora drilled 162 kills, made 34 total blocks, served 29 aces. The 5-10 Stackhouse smacked 215 kills.
Junior 5-11 outside hitter Libby Hocanson was named honorable mention all-league. She knocked down 134 kills, made 27 total blocks and served 21 aces.
Bluffton finished the regular season 19-3 overall and they posted a sparkling 6-1 NWC record. The Pirates ended up second in the eight-team league standings behind only outright champion Crestview (7-0), which beat Bluffton in a five-set match to decide the NWC crown.
Knight ace Adelyn Figley was named NWC Player of the Year. Tammy Gregory, who guided Crestview to its 23rd NWC title, was named league Coach of the Year.
Lincolnview, which went 5-2, finished third in the league standings. Columbus Grove was fourth (4-3), followed by Allen East (3-4), and three teams in a tie for sixth at 1-6: Spencerville, LCC and Delphos Jefferson.
2024 All-NWC Volleyball teams
NWC Player of the Year: Adelyn Figley, Crestview
NWC Coach of the Year: Tammy Gregory, Crestview
1st Team
Adelyn Figley, Crestview
Gracie Yarnell, Bluffton
Ayla Grandey, Bluffton
Allie Miller, Lincolnview
Kaci Gregory, Crestview
Ellie Kline, Crestview
Emma Bowersock, Lincolnview
Avery Talavinia, Bluffton
2nd Team
Emily Lichtle, Crestview
Karlie Lora, Bluffton
Kendall Stackhouse, Bluffton
Ila Hughes, Lincolnview
Saige Benroth, Columbus Grove
Kylee Longworth, Columbus Grove
Kara Suever, Lincolnview
Honorable Mention
Brooklyn Byrne, Lincolnview
Ashlyn Price, Lincolnview
Kennedy Crider, Crestview
Libby Hocanson, Bluffton
Aniya Prowant, Allen East
Aubrey Schroeder, Columbus Grove
Lela Grogg, Delphos Jefferson
Elyse Fortman, Columbus Grove
Joy Helser, Allen East
Carolina Kill, Lima Central Catholic
Kelsey Lee, Spencerville
Haley McCoy, Crestview
Tina Miller, Delphos Jefferson
Briley Cook, Spencerville
