Weekend Highlands Round-Up

Bluebirds Girls Soccer Dominates Ryle

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior defender Hannah Hartman sets up for a pass in a recent game at Tower Park. Highlands moved to 14-4 with a 5-0 blanking of Ryle on Saturday.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team wanted to kick things into high gear going into the postseason.

Highlands (14-4 overall) showed it is ready to do that with a convincing 5-0 win over the Ryle Lady Raiders (7-9) in Union. Highlands finished the regular season 9-0 in 9th Region play and recorded its 11th shut-out of the season.

Highlands Volleyball Wins 20th of Season

Bluebirds Best Apollo, Lose to Collins

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Ava Hockney follows through on a kill attempt in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds volleyball team ventured to Louisville on Friday and split the two games in the Jefferson County Invitational Volleyball Tournament at the Ohio Valley Volleyball Center.

Highlands (20-7 overall) defeated Owensboro Apollo, 2-1 (25-20, 23-25, 27-25) in a tight win before losing to Collins, 2-0 (25-14, 25-15). Against Collins, Highlands senior outside hitter Margot Seidel had seven kills and eight digs. Junior setter Audrey Graves had 15 assists and 12 digs with senior libero Olivia Gessner contributing 14 digs and an ace.

Thursday Sports Results

Bluebirds End Winless Skid in Final Minutes

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Lindsey Meyer makes a move against Bishop Brossart on Thursday. Meyer is the school's all-time career points leader with 170 after recording two goals and an assist in the 6-0 win.

It came in the last few minutes.

But that hustle play from senior midfielder Keegan Brewer ultimately ended the three-game 0-1-2 winless streak for the Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team (13-1-3 overall). Brewer put in a deflection off a free kick from senior Carter Holmes with 2:30 left in regulation to lift the Bluebirds to a 1-0 victory over the Cincinnati (Ohio) LaSalle Lancers.

"It's going to boost our chemistry back up to what it was at the beginning of the season," Brewer said. "Hopefully, we can continue winning from here on out. Carter put it on frame, which is good. The goalkeeper muffed it and I just followed the shot and had an easy tap-in."

Wednesday Sports Briefs

Meyer Moves Into Sole Possession of Most Goals in School History with 65th of Career

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior forward Maria Wiefering (middle) makes a move in a recent game. Wiefering scored twice in the 10-0 win over Dayton.

Four days after perhaps their biggest win of the season, the Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team took the field at Tower Park wanting to wrap up a convincing top seed in the 36th District Tournament in a few weeks.

The Bluebirds (12-4 overall, 8-0 9th Region) did just that with a 10-0 win over the Dayton Lady Devils (2-8-1, 2-2 district) in one half. Highlands won all four district seed games by a combined 35-0.

Monday Sports Notes

The Highlands girls golf team will resume action in the Region 6 Tournament on Thursday at 8.m. Rain postponed the start of the tournament at Twin Oaks Golf Course in Covington.

Saturday Sports Notes

Highlands Girls Soccer Picks Up Huge Win in Park Hills

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. The Highlands girls soccer team rallied past Notre Dame, 3-2 Saturday in Park Hills.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team again learned why one must make the most of all 4,800-plus seconds or 80-plus minutes of a game.

In the final 20 minutes, the Bluebirds (11-4 overall) stayed undefeated at 7-0 in 9th Region action with a 3-2 victory over the seven-time defending region champion Notre Dame Pandas (9-4-2) in Park Hills.

Highlands-Simon Kenton Sidebar

Bluebirds Win 30th Meeting with Pioneers

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Highlands student section known as the OZone came to the game with a USA theme Friday.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior defensive lineman Sylvan Frazier (44) makes the tackle while junior defensive back Shabaz Butt (22) converges.

The Simon Kenton Pioneers football team had come into the game against the Highlands Bluebirds undefeated four straight years.

But unlike the past three seasons, Simon Kenton did not leave that way. The Bluebirds put the clamps down on the Pioneers in a 38-9 non-district victory Friday at David Cecil Memorial Stadium. That marked the first win over Simon Kenton since 1998.

That was the 30th meeting against the Pioneers all-time Friday. Highlands improved to 26-4 against Simon Kenton in school history.

Thursday Sports Results

Highlands Volleyball, Girls Soccer Record Convincing 9th Region Wins

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Highlands volleyball team celebrates a point in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team did not want to overlook the visitors with a showdown in Park Hills looming Saturday.

It turned out not to be an issue as Highlands beat Covington Holy Cross, 7-0 facing its second 35th District opponent in as many days. Highlands recorded 34 shots including 14 on goal to four shots with three on goal for Holy Cross. Highlands is 10-4 overall and 6-0 in 9th Region play.

Wednesday Highlands Results

Bluebirds Shut Out Lady Tigers

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior goalkeeper Maggie Hinegardner makes a save in a recent game.

The favored Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team led just 1-0 at halftime over the host Beechwood Lady Tigers.

But the Bluebirds (9-4 overall) pulled away in the second half for a 5-0 shutout. This marked their seventh shutout of the season. Junior goalkeeper Maggie Hinegardner stopped all four Beechwood (1-10) shots. Highlands improved to 5-0 in 9th Region action.

Tuesday Highlands Results

Bluebird Boys Golf Wins NKAC Division II Match

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman southpaw CC Shick goes up for a kill in a recent game.

For the first time since 2006, the Highlands Bluebirds boys golf team won the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference championship shooting 312.

Highlands Girls Soccer Drops Tight One

St. Ursula Spoils Senior Night

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Highlands girls celebrated Senior Night on Monday. The seniors, from left, are Hannah Hartman, Lindsey Meyer, Gwen Gorman and Hanna Buecker.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team (8-4 overall) lost 2-1 to Cincinnati St. Ursula on Senior Night at Tower Park.

Saturday Highlands Results

Bluebird Boys Soccer Owns A Dozen Wins

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Demetrius Sarakatsannis plays the ball in a recent game. Highlands beat North Oldham, 3-0 for its eighth shutout this season Saturday.

The mission did not change much.

But playing at noon in the scorching heat can be a challenge. In the end, though, the Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team overpowered the North Oldham Mustangs, 3-0 to move to 12-0-1 on the season.

Highlands-Lexington Catholic Sidebar

Bluebirds Enjoy Life on Road; Volleyball Wins Three in Cake Classic

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior linebacker Mason Schwalbach (3) goes after Lexington Catholic junior running back Philippe Ilumva (42) in the 44-27 Highlands win on Friday.

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham. Highlands senior Brady Walz retrieves a ball during warm-ups Friday at Lexington Catholic.

Halfway through the season, only one road game remains. The Bluebirds completed their longest trip of the season with an 89-mile venture to Lexington Catholic and won 44-27.
"I personally enjoy road games more than home games," said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Head Coach. "It's fun. It just seems like the day is more structured. We get in. We eat. We get on the bus. We're together. We drive. We get off at the rest stop. We get here. We don't have much time. We have to get dressed and go. We really are focused on what we have to do so away games are good to us because these guys know how to make business trips. On the ride down, every guys was tuned in to what they were supposed to do and showed up ready to go."

Thursday Highlands Sports Notes

Wins for Highlands Volleyball, Boys Golf, Freshman Football

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior setter Audrey Graves sets up an attack in a recent game. Highlands moved to 13-3 with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-11) win over Boone County on Thursday.

On paper, this looked like one of those games where the Highlands Bluebirds volleyball team should roll to a convincing victory.

The Boone County Lady Rebels (2-18 overall) entered the game struggling. Highlands (13-3) had to overcome some of its own internal struggles, but pulled off a 3-0 9th Region win by 25-15, 25-15, 25-11 scores to move to 5-2 against region opponents.

Nice Rebound for Highlands Girls Soccer

Bluebirds Win Second Game of LexCath Tournament

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior midfielder Kelsey Mathis (left) chases the ball in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team (8-2 overall) bounced back from the loss Monday in the Lexington Catholic Challenge Cup to beat Louisville DuPont Manual (8-3) by a 3-0 count Wednesday.

Bluebirds Shine on Rivalry Day

Highlands Volleyball, Boys Soccer Successful Against Arch-Rivals

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior defensive specialist Brooke Biltz makes a pass in the game at Newport Central Catholic on Thursday, Biltz had seven digs in the Bluebird victory.

The talk about beating the arch-rivals in sports goes throughout the year.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer and volleyball teams took to the court and turf at Tower Park on Tuesdays with opportunities to do just that and they both came through. The volleyball team (12-3 overall, 2-0 36th District) took care of the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (9-4, 3-1) by a 3-0 (25-15, 25-8, 25-15) count on the Hill and down the road, the soccer team (11-0-1 overall, 6-0 9th Region) took down the Covington Catholic Colonels (3-4-1, 2-1), 4-1.

Monday Highlands Results

Happy Senior Nights for Highlands Golf Teams

Twitter Photo. Highlands Head Coach Mike Lipscomb is pictured here with the four Highlands girls golf seniors. The Bluebirds defeated Covington Holy Cross on Monday.

Twitter Photo. The Highlands Bluebirds celebrated Senior Night for the three seniors with a win over Beechwood on Monday.

The Highlands golf teams celebrated their senior nights with victories.
The Highlands girls beat Covington Holy Cross, 208-263 to move to 8-0 in dual matches on the season at Highland Country Club. Sophomore Ellie Rowland earned medalist honors shooting a 44. The four Highlands seniors are Olivia Hopper, Marlena Auch, Gwen Culyer and Abigail Wira.

Saturday Sports Notes

Highlands Soccer Teams Beat Solid Opponents

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior quarterback Collin Hollingsworth scrambles away from pressure while teammates Tyler Brune (20) and Preston McAlpin block in the junior varsity game Saturday. The Bluebird JV moved to 4-0 with a 41-0 win over Ryle. The Bluebirds have not allowed a point this season.

The rain did not make things easy for either team in a huge match-up at Tower Park.

The Highlands Bluebirds and Louisville Collegiate Titans boys soccer teams came into the game ranked third and seventh in the latest Maher Rankings. Both teams knew they had to win tough games like this to advance far in the postseason.

Thursday Sports Notes

Four Nice Victories for Highlands Athletics Including Defeat of Defending State Champion

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands linebacker Ivan Roller makes a tackle in the freshman game Thursday at David Cecil Memorial.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team needed the last second of regulation to do it.

But sophomore Kenzie Nehus put the ball in the back of the net to help the Bluebirds (6-1 overall) down the defending Ohio Division III state champion Cincinnati Summit Country Day Lady Knights, 2-1. Summit Country Day (4-2) also won the state championship in 2015.

"This is just a testament to the girls mentality, the coaching staff's mentality of you have to play all 80 minutes," said Alex Dean, Highlands Head Coach. "Every coach says it in every sport I'm sure. But it's making sure even in practice you go the whole time in practice giving it your all. The girls have been doing it all preseason. When you do it, things like (Thursday) happen."

Wednesday Cancellations

Lightning and a high heat index in the area forced the cancellation of two Highlands events against Dixie Heights. The Highlands girls soccer team (5-1) was to travel to Dixie Heights and the Highlands girls golf team was to take on the Lady Colonels at Pioneer Park.

The next match scheduled for the girls golf team is Sept. 10 at Highland Country Club against Covington Holy Cross. The Highlands girls soccer team faces Summit Country Day at 7:45 p.m. Thursday at Tower Park.

Tuesday Highlands Notes

Bluebirds Win Fifth Straight Against Thoroughbreds

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Alexander Foubert (2) goes after the ball in a recent game. Highlands beat Newport Central Catholic, 5-1 Tuesday at Tower Park.

It could not have been a better start for the hosts.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team (8-0-1 overall, 4-0 9th Region) put four balls in the back of the net in the first 12 minutes. For a team that had given up just two goals all season up to that point, it was more than enough for a 5-1 victory over the 36th District rival Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (4-2) at Tower Park.

"You never really know how NC squares up defensively so we were very intentional about making sure that we came kind of full steam ahead right from the get go," said Chad Niedert, Highlands Head Coach. "Our first goal wasn't anything pretty. But they all count the same. Sometimes those balls just go in the right direction. It set the tone for the rest of the game. Our guys didn't let up."

Saturday Sports Notes

Bluebirds Take Ball Possession Act on Road to Beat Pioneers

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior midfielder Keegan Brewer (22) makes a move up-field in a recent game.

The theme of this season for the Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team can be summed up in three words so far.

Chase the Bluebirds.

They have consistently made teams opponents run around after them all season and they took their act on the road to Independence on Saturday. It took beyond halftime to score. But the Bluebirds (7-0-1 overall) put two in the back of the net on their way to a 2-0 win over the host Simon Kenton Pioneers (5-3) at Chlorine B. Menefee Stadium. Highlands has won six straight and has six shutouts on the season.