Three Pirates on NWC volleyball 1st team, two on 2nd team
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
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, April 4, 2025
- Robert "Bob" O. Town served in the U.S. Navy
- Applications for Bluffton community pool jobs due April 10
- Bolen sentenced to 19 years to life in prison
- Tornado in Putnam County on April 2
- Pirate boys tennis edges Indians
- Brendon Matthews named Chief Executive Officer at First National Bank
- BHS spring musical is Bringing Down the House
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Tornado Watch issued for Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties at 9:15 p.m. on April 2
- Flood Warning issued for Allen County at 11:03 a.m.
- Pirate tennis loss at Elida
- Pirate softball loses opener to Ada
- Pirate baseball falls to Ada
- Allen County will not test warning sirens on April 2
- March 2025 land transfers in the Bluffton Exempted Village School District
- April 22 crash report shows driver hit N. Dixie home
- Bluffton High School Honor Roll announced for 3rd quarter of 2024-2025
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
- Obituary for Betty C. Mumaugh
- Leo Club supports Bluffton Clean Up
- Wind, rain and potential flooding for April 2
- Grandey to major in education, play basketball at John Carroll
- Pirate tennis blanks Bath
- Pirate baseball sweeps opening twin bill vs. Pandora-Gilboa
- “I Have Not Forsaken the Word of God” reader's theater, April 13
- Easter Cantata performed on April 13 in Pandora