Highlands Volleyball Wins Second Straight

Bluebirds Pull off Region Win

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands senior Madison Clore sets up to serve in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds volleyball team came away 2-1 playing three straight days to open the season.

Similar to the win at Campbell County on Wednesday, Highlands bested the Beechwood Tigers (1-1) by a 3-2 score (18-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-17, 15-9). The Bluebirds are 1-1 in 9th Region action.

"They really just endured and kept the intensity up to the end, which is what you have to do against a really good team," said Katelyn Sallee, Highlands Head Coach. "I'm proud of them. We had a lot of offensive production at all areas of the court. It was pretty fun to watch even though it took too long."

The Bluebirds had 51 kills, 51 assists, eight solo blocks, 100 digs and eight aces. Senior Sophia Sarakatsannis had another good all-around game with 12 kills, 23 digs and two aces. Senior CC Shick led Highlands with 19 kills and three solo blocks to go with 10 digs and one assist.

Highlands senior Lauren Buemi followed with seven kills, three blocks, three digs and three aces. Seniors Avery Cavacini and Nicole Ossege had six kills each.

"I think that having the motivation there helps us work harder obviously," Buemi said. "We all love each other and we play as a team so whatever happens, happens. It's definitely a roller coaster I'd say. But for us to get into a rhythm, we just have to keep our energy high and not get down. Our thing this year is to have a mind of a goldfish. You can think about it for one second then you forget about it. That helps us."

Senior Madison Clore led Highlands with 24 digs to go with two assists. Senior Honor Valentine had 15 digs and three aces.

Junior setter Kenzi Vennefron led Highlands with 35 assists to go with 14 digs. Senior setter Madison Opitz had 13 assists.

"We still had to make some changes on some things," Sallee said. "I don't think anything is permanent this year. It may be one of those years where we have a lot of people who can do a lot of things. I'm doing (carrying a huge roster) because we're losing a lot and need people ready for next year. The beauty in that is we have a lot of people who can step in if we're struggling. That happened (Thursday). Kenzi Vennefron stepped in for us and did a nice job. All of our middles did an incredible job as well. Really, even our outsides did, too. It was a complete team effort. Serve receive and defense was better."

Highlands lists 16 as dressing on varsity an eighth grader in Hayden Gessner. Gessner, the younger sister of 2019 Highlands alum and former volleyball player Olivia Gessner and cousin of Highlands girls soccer senior goalkeeper Meg Gessner, saw action in one game against Campbell County and in two against Beechwood recording two digs. Hayden Gessner is the first eighth grader in Sallee's eight seasons to see varsity action.

Highlands Handles Beechwood

Bluebirds Finish Regular Season with Win

Highlands juniors Emma Riccobene (31) and Rory O'Hara (35) scored in double figures in the convincing win over Beechwood on Friday.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (19-10 overall) did not have any issue winning the last game of the regular season recording a sound 63-20 victory over the Beechwood Tigers (9-20).

"We treated it like another game," said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "We wanted to execute. We wanted to fine-tune things and get ready for Tuesday. We really worked on ourselves. We wanted to make sure all five of us were on the same page."

Highlands saw eight players score. Senior guard Piper Macke led the way with 14 points. Juniors Emma Riccobene and Rory O'Hara added 12 and 10 points each.

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.

Highlands Baseball, Softball Win Battles Against NKY Opponents

Bluebird Softball Snaps Three-Game Losing Streak

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Joe Steiden makes a catch in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team (14-6 overall) earned its second win over the visiting Beechwood Tigers this season with a 2-1 victory.

Visiting Highlands Holds Off Hosts

Bluebirds Open Doc Morris Invitational with Impressive Win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Ethan Kavanagh digs in to make a play on the ball against Beechwood on Thursday. Highlands beat the Tigers, 9-6.

The game-winning run stood at the plate.

But the visiting Highlands Bluebirds (7-3 overall) held on for the 9-6 9th Region victory over the Beechwood Tigers (8-3) on Thursday to start the Doc Morris Invitational. Highlands has won seven straight and moved to 2-0 in 9th Region action with the victory.

Bluebirds Split with Beechwood

Highlands Girls Hoops Hangs On for Region Win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Kenzie Nehus (3) makes a move toward the basket in a recent game. Highlands beat Beechwood, 42-39 on Friday to finish the regular season 22-7 overall.

The Blue and White know a game like Friday could mean the end of the season with the post-season on the horizon.

But the important thing is it came in the last game of the regular season and the Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (22-7 overall) came away with a 42-39 9th Region victory Friday in Fort Mitchell. The Bluebirds moved to 11-4 in region action with their 11th victory in 12 games and seventh straight win over the Lady Tigers (4-23) in seven seasons. Highlands also equaled the win totals of the last two seasons.

Bluebirds Picking Up Play

Doty Strikes out 14 in Highlands Win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Ethan Doty struck out 14 in the 9th Region win at Beechwood on Wednesday. The Bluebirds have seven shut-outs on the season.

This baseball game showed how important accuracy comes into play.

The two Highlands Bluebirds pitchers in Ethan Doty and Hunter Dreves combined for 14 strikeouts, five walks and just one hit. On the other side, the three Beechwood Tigers pitchers walked 14 Bluebirds, struck out six and allowed four hits.

Tuesday Sports Stories

Bluebird soccer, Highlands volleyball victorious

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Alex Ford (4) makes a move in the 9th Region quarterfinals Tuesday. The Bluebirds beat the Beechwood Tigers, 4-0 move on in the tournament.

The hosts took shots from what seemed to be every angle using their quickness advantage.

But the Highlands Bluebirds soccer team (18-2-2 overall) just could not consistently put the ball past Beechwood Tiger junior goalkeeper Cameron O'Connell. O'Connell dove everywhere making 15 saves for a young Tiger program (9-11-3) making its first-ever appearance in the 9th Region quarterfinals. Even when Highlands put shots past O'Connell, they often flew high or wide.

Luckily for the Bluebirds, they scored more than enough goals to advance to the 9th Region quarterfinals in a 4-0 victory at Tower Park on Tuesday. That marked the first region tournament victory for Highlands since the Bluebirds won the region in 2013.

Beechwood run-rules Highlands

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands pitcher Ethan Doty fires to the plate in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team (13-12 overall) fell to the Beechwood Tigers in Fort Mitchell, 12-2 in five innings on Wednesday. The Bluebirds dropped to 6-3 in 9th Region play.

Beechwood outhit Highlands, 9-2. Brayden Combs went 3-for-3 with two home runs, a triple, five runs batted in and three runs scored to lead the Tigers. Kyle Rust doubled for Highlands.

Highlands falls in Fort Mitchell

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands guard Mitch Cain goes in between two defenders in a recent game. Cain scored 14 points in the Bluebird loss at Beechwood on Friday.

The Highlands Bluebirds basketball team (6-15 overall) continued to struggle nearing the postseason in a 68-48 loss to the Beechwood Tigers (15-13) in Fort Mitchell on Friday.

Highlands baseball wins season opener

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team opened the campaign with a 5-2 victory over the visiting Beechwood Tigers on Monday.

Highlands beats Beechwood to conclude regular season

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Nick Kendall (12) fires up a shot in Friday's game against Beechwood. The Bluebirds won 54-49 to conclude the regular season.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team hoped to go into the postseason on a positive note.

NewCath handles Beechwood in All "A" 9th Semifinals

Newport Central Catholic's Grant Moeves (13) puts up a shot in a recent game against Covington Catholic. The Thoroughbreds play St. Henry for the All "A" 9th Region title at 7 p.m. Saturday at Covington Holy Cross.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds boys basketball team unsurprisingly recorded its 12th consecutive All “A” 9th Region semifinal contest.

Did NC make it three straight over Beechwood?

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team (4-5) could not gain that momentum it wanted going into the playoffs.

What does NC need to do to beat streaking Beechwood?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic senior Clint Bartels (4) looks for running room in a recent game against Newport. The Thoroughbreds are aiming for their fifth straight win of the season Friday against Beechwood.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

This line should be familiar entering the season finale for both teams.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds and Beechwood Tigers football teams once again rolled through their respective districts and want to continue that momentum entering the playoffs. NewCath (4-4) of Class 6-2A has won four straight and Beechwood (7-2) of District 4-1A has won seven in a row.

Highlands explodes for another postseason win

Jennifer Jones Photo. Highlands second baseman Evan Allen tracks down a pop-up in Monday's game against Beechwood. The Bluebirds exploded for 15 hits in their 9th Region quarterfinal win over the Tigers.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

FLORENCE – They learned their lesson from a year ago.

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team saw the St. Henry Crusaders come out throwing punches. Highlands responded, but the Crusaders won the 9th Region quarterfinal contest, 3-2 behind ace pitcher Mitch Kuebbing.

NewCath rallies for big win over Beechwood

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team received the test it expected from the rival Beechwood Tigers on Saturday and passed it.

The Thoroughbreds won their fifth in a row and second straight in the great series, 34-31 on a John Caudill 25-yard field goal with 12.4 seconds left in the game. Caudill made all four extra-point attempts and 2-of-3 field-goal tries.

Both teams are 6-4 overall. The loss snapped a three-game Beechwood winning streak. The Tigers still lead the all-time series, 23-14.

NC, Beechwood tangle in annual battle

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It is a rivalry game that gets the juices flowing in the final warm-up for the playoffs.

The Class 2A Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds and Class 1A Beechwood Tigers meet Saturday at Noon in Fort Mitchell in their annual battle between two state championship contenders. The Tigers lead the all-time series 23-13.

Highlands downs HC, loses to Beechwood

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands pitches Mitch Jones (2) sets up for a pitch in Saturday's game against Covington Holy Cross while center fielder Hector Molina (10) watches. Jones struck out three in the 9-5 Highlands win and Molina went 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs batted in and two runs scored.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds baseball team came through with clutch hits in one game and not the other Saturday at Highland Park.

That resulted in a 2-1 loss to the Beechwood Tigers followed by a 9-5 victory over the Covington Holy Cross Indians. The Bluebirds are 3-3 on the season.

Highlands received 23 at-bats in both games. The Bluebirds recorded four hits in the loss to Beechwood for a team batting average of .174 but came back to record eight hits against Holy Cross for a .348 clip.

“We hit the ball in the air too much in the first game,” said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands head coach. “We want to focus on hitting line drives and up the middle. We did a better job of that in the second game. We hit more balls on the barrel (of the bat), which is what we preach.”

Highlands leadoff hitter Hector Molina continued his amazing start to the season recording two hits in both games. He had half the Bluebird hits in the first game and scored two runs and had two runs batted in against the Indians going 4-for-7 in both games.

“I just swing hard and do my best to get on base,” Molina said. “We just have to hit the fastballs. We have a pretty good offensive team.”

Evan Allen and Quentin Murray added two hits and two RBI each against the Indians. Molina and Allen also scored twice.

The Bluebirds had their chances in the first game. They put runners in scoring position in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, but could not score against Beechwood winning pitcher Jason Suchanek.

In the fourth, Gabe Schultz reached on an error before moving to second on a D.J. Mills single. Schultz then moved to third when Jake Whitford reached first on a fielder’s choice forcing Mills out at second. Suchanek then got Luke Henigan to ground out at second to end the threat.

Evan Allen then reached on an error to start the fifth inning and Jake Lester bunted him to second. But Suchanek coxed Molina into flying out to left and Colin “Frog” Seidl into grounding out in front of the plate.

The Bluebirds scored their lone run in the bottom of the sixth. Schultz singled and stole second before he scored when Mills reached on an error.

Schultz took the loss for Highlands. He struck out two before Joey Martin relieved him in the third and finished the game striking out four.

Things started off bleak for Highlands in the second game. Holy Cross jumped out to a 4-0 lead before the Bluebirds scored five in the third sending 10 batters to the plate.

Molina walked then reached second and third on two wild pitches before Murray walked and stole second. That’s when Whitford grounded out to score Molina. Murray then scored on a wild pitch.

After Schultz scored on a Joseph Martin single, Trevor Kincaide relieved starting pitcher Blake Tiberi on the mound. Allen hit Kincaide’s first pitch over the right field wall for a two-run home run.

“I knew he wanted to get settled in so he was going to start off with a fastball,” Allen said. “I was sitting on it. I put it on the barrel to see what happened.”

Holy Cross did come back to tie the game in the fifth. But Highlands went ahead for good in the bottom of the inning. Molina singled in Mitch Guesenhues and Allen before Murray doubled home Jac Collinsworth and Molina.

“(Tiberi) throws the ball really hard,” Baioni said. “We don’t need to take hard swings. They need to be short and compact and our guys did that. Our guys were able to catch up to him.”

Mitch Jones picked up the win for Highlands pitching five innings. He struck out three before Jake Liggett threw two shutout innings in relief striking out three.

Kincaide took the loss for the Indians. Tiberi, a Louisville commit, led Holy Cross going 2-for-4 at the plate.

The Bluebirds return to action Wednesday. They travel to Campbell County for a 5 p.m. contest.

Highlands boys downs Beechwood; NCC girls win at buzzer

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands' Bailey Witte (12) guards Beechwood's Kyle Fieger (with ball) in Friday's game. The Bluebirds pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 49-38 9th Region victory.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The host Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team wanted to carry some momentum into the postseason.

They continued their late-season surge with a 49-38 9th Region win over the Beechwood Tigers on Friday. Highlands won its final three regular-season contests to enter tournament play 12-15 overall after winning just 10 games all of last season. The Bluebirds moved to 5-10 in region play.

The Bluebirds had to come from behind once again outscoring the Tigers (8-20), 22-6 in the fourth quarter. Highlands hit 8-of-13 free throws for 62 percent in that quarter and 11-of-18 for 61 percent for the game.