Ladybird soccer, volleyball post region wins

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore defender Hannah Gish (6) plays the ball while senior defender Annalee Brewer (2) gets in position in a recent game against Campbell County.

The Highlands Ladybirds soccer team made short work of the neighboring Bellevue Lady Tigers with a 14-0 36th District victory Wednesday at Tower Park.

Highlands maintained its best start since 2005 at 6-0 overall with the victory. The Ladybirds moved to 3-0 in 9th Region action in the district opener and have outscored opponents by a combined 30-0.

The game ended at halftime by Kentucky High School Athletic Association rule. The game ends early at halftime when a team leads by 10 or more goals or in the second half when a team goes up by 10 goals.

Sophomore forward Lindsey Meyer scored her first four goals of the season to lead the Ladybirds and recorded her first assist on the season. Meyer tallied 17 goals and 10 assists last year for a total of 44 points.

Senior midfielder Kiersten Clukey and freshman Ali Gessner had three goals each and Clukey added an assist. Gessner owns a team-high five goals on the season and has four assists for a team-high total of 14 points. Clukey has three goals and three assists on the year for a total of nine points.

Freshman Lauren Deckert added two goals with sophomore Gwen Gorman and junior Lily Lorenz adding the other goals. Deckert and Gorman have three goals each on the season for Highlands.

Highlands begins a tough stretch with a visit to West Jessamine (3-1-1) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. West Jessamine tied defending state champion Louisville Sacred Heart, 0-0 on Saturday. West Jessamine won the 12th Region title two years ago and finished region runner-up to Boyle County last year.

Volleyball:
Highlands 3, Dixie Heights 0:

The Ladybirds (4-5 overall) beat the Lady Colonels, 3-0 (27-25, 25-22, 25-13) in 9th Region action. Highlands is 3-4 in region play with its second win over Dixie Heights in six games.

Senior outside hitter Lauren Epperson and senior setter Emma Little led Highlands with 12 and five kills respectively. Senior libero Kathryn Ball added three aces.

Highlands travels to Independence to take on Simon Kenton on Thursday. Game time is 7 p.m.