Highlands volleyball gearing up for new era

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands celebrates a point in Tuesday's scrimmage against Harpeth Hall (Tennessee). The Ladybirds are hoping to use their experience to build a solid foundation with new Head Coach Katelyn Sallee.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The mountain may be long and tough.

But new Highlands Ladybirds head volleyball coach Katelyn Sallee and staff have been gearing up for the challenge. Sallee, a former Simon Kenton and Morehead State University standout, took over the program after Whitney Mulroney resigned in the spring. Mulroney and husband Kevin, a former Highlands football player, are expecting their first child.

The Ladybirds have struggled in recent years posting consecutive 13-23 seasons. They lost to eventual state runner-up Notre Dame, 3-0 (25-11, 25-6, 25-7) in the 9th Region quarterfinals last year after losing to Newport Central Catholic, 3-0 (25-6, 25-19, 25-17) in the 36th District championship game. Their last winning season came in 2010 when they finished 10th Region runner-up and their last state tournament appearance came in 2004.

Statewide, private schools have dominated the volleyball scene. Notre Dame has won the majority of the 9th Region tournaments with St. Henry claiming some. Private schools have won all 35 state championships since the tournament began in 1979. A public school did not play for a state championship until 2011 when Greenwood finished runner-up to Assumption.

But Sallee and assistants Beth Pelgen and Molly Wehage, 2009 Highlands graduates, have wonderful places to start. The first is solid community support.

“I was always told the parents would be 110 percent behind me,” Sallee said. “They truly are. They’re excited about what we’re doing, what we’re about. They want to fund things. They want to see things get bigger. They’re behind their girls so that’s really cool.”

The Ladybirds also return an experienced team of three seniors and eight juniors. Only Abby Schweitzer and Mallory Seidel graduated from last year’s team. Sallee said the majority of the players on all three squads play volleyball in the offseason.

“I really like what I see,” Sallee said. “Our varsity program is not young and that’s exciting to me. I see some things we can improve on in terms of our blocking and things at the net. We have the tools. It’s just a matter of sharpening them.”

The three seniors are outside hitter Jessica Ginter, setter/right side hitter Kaitlin Hall and right side/outside hitter Lauren Maines. Ginter and Hall have started on varsity at least the last two years. The three will be expected to provide solid leadership.

“We need to keep our heads above water at all times,” Ginter said. “To me, a bad attitude is infectious. So if we keep everyone positive at all times, then we’ll keep steady and positive the entire year.”

The juniors give Highlands depth. They are middle blocker Kaylan Frisch, defensive specialist/libero AJ Guth, outside hitter Malorie Hegge, middle blocker Maria Hockney, middle blocker/right side hitter Anna Marie Houliston, defensive specialist/libero Sydney Kroger, defensive specialist/right side/outside hitter Izzy Schultz, setter/defensive specialist Ellie Van Curen.

Highlands has also been working on the mental part of the game. Games often went downhill once mistakes started piling up last year.

“A huge philosophy I have is we have to control the controllable,” Sallee said. “There are going to be things you can’t control in the gym. But communication, effort, hustle and things like that, you can control. I expect the seniors to treat the freshmen like they like to be treated. There is an expectation there from the coaching staff that helps the chemistry stay healthy. We haven’t had to intervene because the girls have bought into that.”

Highlands opened the season with a scrimmage against Harpeth Hall from Nashville (Tennessee). The Ladybirds have another scrimmage at North Oldham on Aug. 5 before playing at Cincinnati Anderson on Aug. 19 to open the season.