Saturday Briefs

Ladybirds record fourth shutout in as many games

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Cooper Schwalbach (left) lines up in Saturday's junior varsity game against Campbell County. Highlands won 14-0 to move to 2-0 on the season.

The Highlands Ladybirds soccer team recorded yet another shutout on the season with a 4-0 victory at Dixie Heights on Saturday.

Highlands moved to 4-0 and has outscored opponents by a combined 10-0 on the season. Highlands outshot Dixie Heights (1-3-2), 16-1. Ladybird junior goalkeeper Olivia McQueary received credit for her fourth shutout on the season.

Highlands also moved to 2-0 in 9th Region action following the 3-0 win over St. Henry on Thursday. St. Henry and Dixie Heights constantly battle for the 34th District championship.

Highlands won again with balanced scoring. Senior midfielder Kiersten Clukey corner kicked the ball to the right post. Senior midfielder Claudia Hils ran in, muscled the ball away from the defender and finished to the corner for her second goal of the season.

The Ladybirds made it 2-0 when senior Sydney Ossege dribbled down the left side, cut back into the middle to beat a defender and fired a shot in the upper 90-degree for the score. Ossege and Hils lead Highlands with five points on the season with two goals and an assist each.

But Highlands was not finished. In the 70th minute, Ossege booted a corner kick in the middle of the box and sophomore midfielder Gwendolyn Culyer ran in to score her first goal of the season. The final goal came in the 75th minute when junior midfielder Molly Wiefering assisted senior defender Annalee Brewer. Brewer chipped the ball just over the Dixie Heights goalkeeper's reach.

Highlands plays four games next week starting with Campbell County (2-5) on Monday. Game time is 8 p.m.

Soccer, Boys:
Highlands 0, South Laurel 0:

The Bluebirds (3-1-2 overall) booted 23 shots to two for the host Cardinals (4-0-1), but none crossed the line leaving Highlands with its fourth shutout of the season including the second scoreless tie.

Highlands senior goalkeeper Paul Tully had both saves.

The Bluebirds travel south to take on Campbell County (2-2) on Tuesday. Game time is 8 p.m.

Volleyball:
Ladybirds finish runner-up in Cake Classic:

Highlands finished 3-2 in its annual Cake Classic losing twice to Conner. The Lady Cougars edged the Ladybirds, 2-1 (25-18, 24-26, 15-12) Saturday morning before Highlands beat Louisville Atherton, 2-0 (25-17, 25-18). Conner then beat Highlands, 2-0 (25-18, 25-13) in the championship game. Highlands is 2-4 in 9th Region action.

"This weekend was a really good weekend for us," said Katelyn Sallee, Highlands Head Coach. "We needed to get a couple wins in and get our confidence rolling. I think the team is really coming together nicely. We still have some things to work on and I'm excited to get back in the gym this week."

Highlands travels to Dixie Heights on Wednesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Football, JV:
Highlands 14, Campbell County 0:

The Bluebirds improved to 2-0 with the win over the Camels in Fort Thomas.

Highlands takes on Cooper for the second time on Saturday in Union. Game time is 10 a.m.