Highlands Volleyball Stops Skid

District Tournament Starts Next Week

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands junior Sophia Sarakatsannis prepars to serve in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds volleyball team (11-7 overall) snapped a five-game losing streak in the last game of the regular season with a 3-0 (25-5, 25-7, 25-12) win over the Bellevue Tigers (7-11).

The Bluebirds had 40 kills and assists on 89 attempts with nine errors for a .348 hitting percentage. Highlands also had 25 aces and 61 digs with no blocks to go with two serving errors on 73 attempts, two receiving errors and just one general ball-hitting error.

"It just gave us a night to just work through some things," said Katelyn Sallee, Highlands Head Coach. "Momentum was huge. I was grateful for that and I think were too."

Sallee said the serve reception was better this game. It had been an issue in recent games.

"We definitely had more of a sense of ball control," Sallee said. "I think just getting our communication a little bit more a priority. We talked about that and I think we did a good job with that. A huge part of defense is effort, attitude and communication. We fixed that and that's exciting to see."

Highlands senior Laura Winkler had nine kills, 15 assists and five digs. Senior Maria Little had 20 assists and 10 aces. Junior CC Shick had 12 kills and seven digs. Junior Madison Clore had 17 digs and five aces. Junior Sophia Sarakatsannis had 10 digs. Junior Avery Cavacini had six kills.

The Bluebirds play in the 36th District semifinals in a week against host Dayton (12-6). Game time is 6 p.m.