Bluebirds win Season-Opener

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Gracie Schweitzer bumps the ball while Olivia Gessner (6) get in position in the season opener against Beechwood.

The Highlands Bluebirds soccer team shut out Covington Holy Cross, 3-0 at Tower Park on Tuesday to open the season.

Junior Will Hochleutner and Porter Hedenberg scored the first-half goals for the Bluebirds. Senior Elias Ordonez added the second one. This marked the first shut-out as goalkeeper for junior Will Burnham.

"It's a good way to start the year," said Chad Niedert, Highlands Head Coach. "We're going to be able to score goals as the season wears on and we're going to be dangerous if we add in keeping balls out of our net as well. It could have been four, five, 6-0 as well."

Highlands has six seniors on the squad. A number of players made their varsity debut.

"We've come together more as a team knowing our styles of play and knowing what we want to do as a team," said Alan Ford, Highlands senior defender/midfielder. "I think we're going to be able to build on that more as the season goes on. I think we all understand not many people are going to play the full 80 minutes so when you're on the field, you're going to give it your all and just hope for the best."

Highlands faces another 35th District opponent Thursday at Beechwood's Lower Field. Game time is 8 p.m.

Volleyball:
Beechwood 3, Highlands 1:

The Ladybirds dropped their season opener. Beechwood won the first game 25-16 before Highlands won the second one, 25-23. The Lady Tigers then won the next two, 26-24 and 25-18.

Sophomore outside hitter Casey Dunn recorded 14 kills, two aces and 14 digs with sophomore outside hitter Ava Hockney adding the same number of kills. Senior Libero Gracie Schweitzer added 22 digs.

Highlands plays at Campbell County on Thursday. Game time is 7 p.m.