By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON - The Ada volleyball squad opened defense of its Northwest Conference title with a sweep at local rival Bluffton Tuesday night.

The Lady Bulldog spikers improved to 6-4 and 1-0 in NWC play with a convincing 25-14, 25-19, 25-23 victory. The Pirates fell to 1-6 and 0-1 in league play with the defeat.

Three-time defending league champion Ada extended its NWC win streak to 17 matches as a result of the sweep.

"We played well and it was a good win to start conference play," said first-year Ada head coach Kyleigh Tabor.

Versatile senior Morgan Swick dished out 17 assists, hit four kills, made nine digs, had a block and served two aces to pace the victors.

Sophomore Sidney Gossard came up with 11 digs and served a pair of aces.

Sophomore Megan Light hammered seven kills and senior Rilan Conley contributed five kills, one block and three aces.

Senior Raina England knocked down four kills and added seven digs. Sophomore Miranda Wills contributed eight digs.

Sophomore Aubrey Madison added a block and served two aces. Kendal Guagenti hustled up 10 digs.

The Lady Bulldog reserves also swept the Pirates in two.

The Bulldogs (3-0 home) host backyard NWC rival Allen East Thursday evening.