Thursday Sports Briefs

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands' Kaitlin Hall (front) and Anna Marie Houliston (back) record a block against Boone County in Tuesday's 9th Region match. The Ladybirds won 3-2 to move to 2-3 on the season.

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior Logan Groneck (6) makes a move in Thursday's game against Cincinnati McNicholas. Groneck scored the lone goal for the Bluebirds in a 3-1 loss at Tower Park.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds volleyball team (2-3) made it two in a row Thursday with a 3-2 (25-14, 25-20, 21-25, 21-25, 15-11) win over visiting Boone County.

Seniors Jessica Ginter and Kaitlin Hall led Highlands with 30 kills and 67 assists respectively. Hall added 4.5 blocks and Izzy Schultz followed with three. Defensively, AJ Guth had 27 digs and Ginter had 26 with Ellie Van Curen making 21.

Highlands travels to Dixie Heights on Tuesday. Game time is 7 p.m.

Volleyball:

Newport Central Catholic 3, Dayton 0:

The Thoroughbreds earned their first win of the season in the 36th District opener. NewCath (1-4) won in three sets, 25-13, 25-11, 25-13.

Rachel McDonald led NewCath with 10 kills and seven aces with setter Mikah Freppon recording 23 assists and eight  aces and Amanda Ruwe making 17 digs.

NewCath plays again Tuesday. The Thoroughbreds face Covington Holy Cross at 7:30 p.m.

Soccer, Boys:

All “A” 9th Region Finals at St. Henry:

Newport Central Catholic 4, Covington Holy Cross 0:

The Thoroughbreds continued their shutout streak in winning their second straight All “A” 9th Region championship.

NewCath (4-0-1) has shut out four straight opponents. The Thoroughbreds have outscored the competition, 15-1.

Senior Jacob Hensley recorded a monster game for NewCath in the win. He had three goals and Patrick Louis scored the other one. Senior Seth Freppon had three assists for the victors.

The Thoroughbreds travel to Lexington on Saturday. They take on host Lexington Lafayette at 9:30 a.m. in the Lafayette Cup.

Cincinnati McNicholas 3, Highlands 1:

Highlands (0-3-1) dropped its third straight at Tower Park.

Logan Groneck scored the lone goal for the Bluebirds while Nick Breslin played another good game at goalkeeper. He recorded nine saves.

Highlands plays host to Simon Kenton on Saturday. Game time is 8 p.m.