Tuesday Highlands Sports Roundup

Highlands Boys Soccer Breaks Losing Streak

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands junior midfielder Joel Kendall (30) moves toward the ball in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team (4-3-1 overall) won a one-goal game after losing two in a row with a 1-0 9th Region win over the Dixie Heights red Colonels (3-7) on the road.

"This is much different than what we saw last week even though the goal-differential was only a goal," said Chad Niedert, Highlands Head Coach. "We defended extremely well. We put Dixie in a position where they were mostly worried about us. We still have some ways to go. But being a week and a half out from postseason, we feel pretty good with where we're at."

Highlands senior forward Max Farris scored the game's lone goal 32 seconds into the second half. That marked his team-high sixth of the season. He also has an assist for 13 points this season.

Highlands had 14 shots with six on goal compared to two shots with one on goal for Dixie Heights. Sophomore goalkeeper Connor Mathis had one save for the Bluebirds.

"It felt good to get back on the winning track," said Carter Smith, Highlands senior midfielder. "We understand why we're playing those hard Ohio teams. That's to better ourselves for the postseason. We had a lot of talking. We were all on the same page and I think that's what led to our win."

Highlands plays host to Cincinnati (Ohio) Wyoming on Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Soccer, Girls:

Highlands 8, Covington Holy Cross 1:

The Bluebirds (7-1-1 overall) posted their most convincing win of the season against a region opponent at Tower Park. 

The Indians are 5-4. They last made the 9th Region Tournament in 2017.

Highlands had 15 shots. Senior defender Greta Noble had five corner kicks.

"Their goalie did a good job all around," said Alex Dean, Highlands Head Coach. "We kept on attacking. We just don't take teams lightly. We don't look at their records. It doesn't matter if we beat them before. We come out and play them like it's a rivalry game. Holy Cross made us work for our chances."

The first goal for Highlands came with 21:57 left in the first half. But it marked the first of two freshman forward Laney Smith goals in less than two minutes. Senior defender Kelsey Listerman assisted on the first one and junior defender Jade Rehberger had one on the second goal. Listerman later scored a goal.

Rehberger had a goal and two assists to tie Smith with four points in the game. Rehberger has a goal and three assists this year.

Highlands junior midfielder Faith Broering, senior forward Katelyn Vaught, freshman forward Lindsay Stein and freshman forward Claire Cavacini had the other goals. Sophomore midfielder Alyssa Harris, senior defender Anna Kidney and junior forward Margo Bradenburger had assists.

Smith upped her team-high to nine goals on the season. She has two assists for 20 points this year.

"We got into a flow after the first (goal) went in," Harris said. "It was easier for all of us to work together and keep the energy up to put more in. It was very important for us to make a statement in the beginning. Our goal always is to score in the first 10 minutes that way we can make sure we hit the ground running."

Highlands travels to Cincinnati St. Ursula (3-5-1) on Wednesday. Game time is 7 p.m.

Volleyball:

Highlands 3, Bishop Brossart 0:

The Bluebirds (10-2 overall) hit double-digits in victories with a sweep (25-19, 25-21, 25-11) over the Lady 'Stangs (7-6) for their seventh straight win.

"I thought the first and third set were pretty clean," said Katelyn Sallee, Highlands Head Coach. "They have a middle (blocker) that gave us trouble. She has a higher touch than maybe anyone in our region. It took us a minute to adjust to that. She plays all the way around. They have several people. But she was the one we had to adjust to."

Highlands had 32 kills and assists, seven total blocks, 28 digs and 14 aces. Highlands junior middle blocker CC Shick led the way with 11 kills.

"We just have to make sure we go out and focus on our play, our game and keep that same intensity, that same energy for every game," Shick said. "The first kills always gets everyone pumped up. It sets the tone for the rest of the game."

Senior setter Laura Winkler had five kills, two solo blocks, 12 assists, six digs and two aces. Junior middle blocker Lauren Buemi had seven kills, one solo block, two assisted blocks, one dig and one ace. Senior setter Maria Little had 20 assists, three digs and five aces. Junior Honor Valentine had six digs and two aces and junior defensive specialist Madison Clore had four digs and two aces. Junior outside hitter Sophia Sarakatsannis had five digs, one ace, one kill and an assisted block with sophomore outside hitter Bailey Houston recording four kills.

Highlands travels to Ryle (6-3) on Thursday. Game time is 7 p.m.

Cross County:

The Highlands Bluebirds girls cross country team ran in a tri-meet at Old Fox Run Golf Course in Covington against Walton-Verona and Dixie Heights. Walton-Verona won with 31 points and Dixie Heights scored 31 with Highlands scoring 81.

Highlands did not see its top runners go in this race. Junior Erin Schulkers led the Bluebirds finishing 12th in 21 minutes, 39.1 seconds.

Highlands runs in the Conner Meet on Friday at Idlewild Park in Florence.