Highlands Volleyball Victorious in District Play

Bluebirds Take Care of Business at Dayton

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. The Highlands volleyball team knocked off Dayton on Wednesday to move to 3-0 in 36th District play,

The Highlands Bluebirds volleyball team is playing three straight days and won the most important of the three Wednesday in 36th District play.

Highlands (17-2 overall) ventured to Dayton and defeated the Lady Devils, 2-0 (25-6. 25-20) in a best-of-three match. The Bluebirds have won seven in a row. They are 3-0 in district play and 8-1 against 9th Region opponents.

"We had the opportunity to get everyone in," said Katelyn Sallee, Highlands Head Coach. "We got to throw in some of the sophomores that don't get to play as much. It was exciting."

Highlands recorded 27 kills on 74 attempts with 14 errors for a .176 hitting percentage. The Bluebirds also had six assisted blocks, 27 assists, 33 digs and eight aces.

In one series, Highlands saw junior Laura Winkler set. The front row consisted of sophomore Lauren Buemi in the middle with sophomores Sophia Sarakatsannis and Nicole Ossege on the outside. Ossege had four kills and Sarakatsannis had three kills and an assisted block. Winkler had 11 assists. Junior Maria Little had three aces.

"The fact that we're all working toward a common goal and share the same beliefs with what we're doing and why we're doing it," Ossege said. "I think that really makes a difference in our play. The coaches have a big part in helping us build bonds with our team. The upperclassmen and lowerclassmen are able to connect with each other and become friends not just in volleyball, but off the court as well."

Sophomore CC Shick led Highlands with eight kills. Senior Casey Dunn had six kills and seven digs with senior setter Audrey Graves recording 12 assists.

Highlands travels to Boone County (8-12) on Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.