Highlands, NewCath volleyball meet for District 36 crown

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

For the ninth time since 2002, the Highlands Ladybirds and Newport Central Catholic Lady Breds volleyball teams will meet for the district tournament title today.

Both teams took care of their respective District 36 semifinals opponents Tuesday to earn the rematch. Second-seeded Highlands (12-22 overall) took care of Bellevue, 3-1 (24-26, 25-17, 25-8, 25-19) and top-seeded NewCath (10-21) beat Dayton, 3-0 (25-14, 25-9, 25-9).

The tournament went to a seeded format this season. The championship game starts at 6:30 p.m. back at Newport High.

The two teams have met for a district championship every year except 2008 and last year. The Lady Breds eliminated the Ladybirds in the district first round in 2008 and semifinals last year before beating Dayton both years for the crowns during the days of the blind draw.

The Lady Breds are seeking their eighth straight district championship. They’ve also won six straight regional titles. Host NewCath won the regular season contest on Sept. 18, 3-1 (17-25, 25-8, 25-19, 25-15).

“We have a familiarity because we play them during the regular season,” said Vicki Fleissner, NewCath head coach. “But it’s also later in the year so we worked on fine-tuning our game. I’m sure they have as well. It’s going to come down to what the girls are ready for and whoever wants it.”

The Ladybirds hope to end the 15-match losing streak to their arch-rivals two miles down the road. Highlands last beat NewCath, 2-1 (25-23, 21-25, 25-21) on Sept. 20, 2005. Highlands beat NewCath in 2002 and 2004 for the district crowns.

“They just have to come ready to play and know it’s going to be a completely different team they’re coming up against,” said Whitney Mulroney, Highlands head coach. “We’ll find out.”

Highlands started off slow in the first game trailing 17-10. The Ladybirds rallied and had game point before falling. They played a new lineup without two players, including Mallory Seidel.

“They had to take the time to get used to the new lineup,” Mulroney said. “They have to eliminate their own errors. When they eliminate the errors, they’re forcing the other team to make them. They have to focus on the task at hand.”

It was a matter of solid passing and nice sets to their big hitters. Sarah Schweitzer led Highlands with eight kills and Jessica Ginter had six. Kaitlin Hall had 20 assists and six aces with Brooke Hamilton recording five aces and Abby Schweitzer tallying two blocks.

“We tried to keep our talking up because when we don’t talk, that’s typically when we fall apart,” Sarah Schweitzer said. “The communication level was so much better in the second game, which allowed us to cover the positions that aren’t typically covered. The defense moved the feet well.”

NewCath also started off slow in the first game. But once the Lady Breds got into the groove, they cruised to victory.

“We just played (regional contender) Ryle last week in four tough sets so we were trying to get them to think in that mentality,” Fleissner said. “Celebrate like you were getting a point against Ryle or St. Henry. That’s how we were trying to get intensity into the game.”

The usual leaders did their thing for the Lady Breds. Nikki Kiernan had 10 kills and five blocks. Setter Alyssa Maier recorded 19 assists and eight aces with libero Maria Froendhoff making 16 digs and six aces.

NewCath has been playing without outside hitters Abbie Lukens and Whitney Fields for a few weeks. Lukens sprained her right ankle and tore ligaments in the tournament in Louisville, but returned Tuesday. Jamie Lohr and Laura Brannon have moved into their places.

“I love watching my team play well,” Lukens said. “But there’s nothing like being a part of being on the court in the middle of the action. (Lohr and Brannon) are not used to hitting outside. But they’re getting the job done.”

Both teams advance to the 9th Region tournament next week at St. Henry.