BLUFFTON — Two of the top teams in the Northwest Conference squared off Tuesday night as Bluffton hosted Lima Central Catholic, with the Pirates earning a hard-fought 3-1 victory.

Bluffton (10-4, 3-0 NWC) leaned on its size and balance in the opening set, as Karlie Lora delivered early with one of her 16 kills to put the Pirates ahead 5-4. Lainey Grandey kept the attack rolling from the outside, while senior Kendall Stackhouse powered the Bluffton offense with a match-high 17 kills.

Lima Central Catholic (6-4, 2-1 NWC) fought back behind senior Carolina Kill, whose clean strikes at the net kept the Thunderbirds in it. Lily Whittaker added a heads-up play at the net to tie the first set at 23-all, but Bluffton held on to take the opener 26-24.

The Thunderbirds responded in the second set before Bluffton regained momentum, winning the next two to seal the match 3-1.

With the win, Bluffton stays unbeaten in conference play and takes an early edge in the NWC title race.

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