Hall makes college choice

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands setter Kaitlin Hall (30) gets in position in a match this past fall against St. Henry. Hall recently signed with NCAA Division II Spalding University in Louisville.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Kaitlin Hall provided a lot of stability at setter over her high school volleyball career.

Her dedication to helping the Highlands Ladybirds turn the corner paid off on Friday. She signed to play at NCAA Division II Spalding University of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The school is located in Louisville.

Did the trend in the NC-Highlands volleyball series continue or swing the other way?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands freshman Emma Delagrange (20) tries to block a spike attempt by Newport Central Catholic's Laura Brannon (3) in Tuesday's match. NewCath won 3-1.

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic's Olivia Owens (center) reaches for the dig in Tuesday's 36th District match against Highlands while teammate Alexa Kehoe (5) and Highlands' Jessica Ginter (9) get in position. NewCath won for the 18th time in the last 19 meetings.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

NEWPORT – This volleyball game portrayed what often happens with life.

The 36th District rival Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds and Highlands Ladybird volleyball teams looked good one game then not so good the next. But the Thoroughbreds (13-9) fought through the adversity for a 3-1 (25-16, 22-25, 25-8, 25-18) win to clinch the top seed in the district tournament to be played at Bellevue. They have a winning record against a tough schedule.

Highlands volleyball beats 2011 state runner-up, goes 3-2 in September Slam

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
TAYLOR MILL - The Highlands Ladybirds volleyball team has earned some nice wins lately.
The Ladybirds hope to keep them coming after going 3-2 to finish fourth out of 10 teams in the September Slam at Scott on Saturday. They moved to 7-7 overall moving one win shy of last year's total.

"We're still working out what we are good at and what we need to get better at," said Whitney Mulroney, fourth-year head coach. "Our talking and communication has gotten a lot better to where we're actually able to run our offense as well as our defense."
The tournament consisted of eight teams from Boone, Kenton and Campbell Counties with two Region champions from last year. Last year's All "Ä" State Champion and 9th Region Semifinalist Covington Holy Cross ended up winning the tournament.
The Ladybirds have five seniors, three juniors and two sophomores on the varsity roster. Mulroney said the team chemistry has been better this year.