Monday Sports Briefs

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior Taylor Vaughn plays on inside the attacking zone in Monday's 36th District semifinals at Tower Park. Vaugnn scored twice and had two assists. She leads Highlands with 13 goals on the season as Highlands beat Dayton, 10-0.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds soccer team (10-9-1) reached double-digit wins for the first time since 2010 Monday.

The Ladybirds goal-ruled the Dayton Lady Devils, 10-0 in the 36th District semifinals. They take on Newport Central Catholic (13-4-1) in the title game on Wednesday at 7 p.m. back at Tower Park. Highlands scored the game-ending goal 15 minutes into the second half.

Highlands normally plays a different goalkeeper in each half. But freshman Olivia McQueary played the entire game there and had two saves.

Junior Hannah Culyer scored three goals in the first four minutes off three crosses. Taylor Vaughn assisted two of them and Lauren Ossege assisted on the other.

Ellie Farley scored another goal in the eighth minute. Kylie Stava had the assist.

Culyer finished with three goals and an assist with Vaughn scoring twice and adding two assists. Vaughn leads the team with 13 goals on the season.

Ossege ended up with two goals and an assist and Farley had two goals and an assist with Annalee Brewer scoring a goal and adding an assist. Stava added two assists.

Volleyball:

Highlands 2, Newport 0:

The Ladybirds (15-15) finished 3-1 in 36th District play with a 2-0 (25-10, 25-11) victory. They will be the second seed in the district tournament at Bellevue next week.

Jessica Ginter again led Highlands with six kills. Ellie Van Curen had 10 assists and three digs to lead the Ladybirds. Van Curen and freshman Emma Delagrange also had two aces each.

Highlands plays host to Covington Holy Cross on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Louisville Mercy 3, Newport Central Catholic 0:

The Lady Breds (13-11) fell at top-ranked and undefeated Mercy (31-0).

They travel to Simon Kenton on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.