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.

NewCath made progress this year

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic's volleyball team gathers before Wednesday's 9th Region semifinal contest. The Thoroughbreds lost in three to finish the year 17-17 with a 36th District championship.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

UNION – They are not there quite yet.

But the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds volleyball team took a big step this season toward ultimately competing with 9th Region powers Ryle, Notre Dame and St. Henry. The Thoroughbreds improved from 10-20 last year to 17-17 this year and advanced a round further in the region tournament.

They’d won six consecutive 10th Region crowns before moving into the 9th last year. Ryle again beat Newport Central Catholic by a 3-0 score this year Wednesday. But it was the semifinals instead of the first round.

9th Region Volleyball Bracket Released; Houliston Update

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The 9th Region volleyball pairings were selected Saturday.

Both the Newport Central Catholic and Highlands volleyball teams drew tough quarterfinal opponents. NewCath (16-16) defeated Highlands (13-22) to win the 36th District crown Wednesday by a 3-0 count.

Tuesday Volleyball Roundup

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds volleyball team dropped to 12-20 following a 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-22) loss at Covington Holy Cross on Tuesday.

Kaitlin Hall led Highlands with nine digs, 14 assists and eight kills. Teammate Kaylan Frisch followed with two blocks.

Monday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team (2-3-2) dropped a tough 1-0 contest at South Oldham on Monday.

The Lady Dragons scored their lone goal with five minutes left in the game. Highlands goalkeeper Sarah Owen made three saves.

The Bluebirds play again Thursday against Beechwood. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Tower Park.

Volleyball:

NewCath 3, Dayton 0:

The Thoroughbreds improved to 6-7 overall and 2-0 in 36^th District action with the 25-4, 25-19, 25-13 win Monday.

Keyaira Lankheit led the way with 11 kills with Rachel McDonald and Nikki Kiernan following with eight and seven respectively. Setter Alyssa Maier followed with 29 assists with Laura Brannon recording five aces and five digs and Alexa Kehoe racking up five aces.

NewCath plays host to Scott on Wednesday. Game time is 7 p.m.

Wednesday NewCath Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds girls soccer team advanced to the 9th Region All “A” Classic with a 1-0 semifinal win over Villa Madonna on Wednesday.

Chandler Cain scored the one goal for NewCath. Villa Madonna only took one shot and NewCath goalkeeper Meg Martin saved it.

The Thoroughbreds return to Eva Ferris Park in Covington on Saturday for the championship. Game time is Noon.

Volleyball:

Newport Central Catholic 3, Campbell County 0:

The Thoroughbreds (2-3) handled the defending 10th Region champions on Wednesday in Alexandria.

The scores were 25-18, 26-24, 25-17. NewCath trailed 2-13 in the second game before making a comeback.

Alyssa Maier recorded 21 assists and 10 digs to lead NewCath and Rachel McDonald recorded 12 kills. Three other Thoroughbred hitters in Jamie Lohr, Nikki Kiernan and Keyaira Lankheit recorded five kills each and Madison Volk had 14 digs.

NewCath plays host to Covington Holy Cross on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Thursday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team seems to have found that scoring punch that lacked last year.

Highlands recorded its first win of the year, 5-0 at Covington Holy Cross on Thursday. The Bluebirds (1-0-1) have scored seven goals in their first two games after tallying just 14 last year. The most they scored in a game last year was four goals, also against the Lady Indians (0-3). The Lady Indians have been outscored 12-0 so far this year.

Highlands took all the shots in this game leading 2-0 at halftime after McKenzie Goyert and Allyson Bridewell goals. Bridewell added her second one early in the second half with Taylor Vaughn and Allison Nienaber scoring the other two.

Highlands travels to Campbell County on Monday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Boys Soccer:

St. Henry 3, Highlands 1:

The Bluebirds (1-1) failed to follow up Tuesday’s huge win over Newport Central Catholic with another big win Thursday.

Highlands plays host to Montgomery County at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

NCC 8, Conner 0:

The Thoroughbreds (1-1) dominated the Cougars in 9th Region action Thursday.

Patrick Louis led NewCath with two goals with Connor Hanneken, Matt Tolle, Noah Connolly, Kyle Bleser and Brian Anderson scoring one each. Ryan Randle had two assists with Evan Branon, Mitchell Murphy and Gualt Nolan adding one assist each.

Paul Grosser recorded four saves at goalkeeper for NewCath.

The Thoroughbreds travel to West Jessamine on Saturday. Game time is 11 a.m.

Volleyball:

Cincinnati Anderson 3, Highlands 1:

Nearby Anderson edged the Bluebirds, 3-1 (25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 25-15) on Thursday.

The Bluebirds did see junior standout hitter Jessica Ginter return. She missed Tuesday’s season-opener against Simon Kenton.

Highlands (0-2) travels to Scott on Monday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Lexington Henry Clay 2, Newport Central Catholic 0:

Cincinnati Mercy 2, NewCath 0:

The Thoroughbreds (1-3) dropped both matches in the tri-match at Cincinnati Mercy on Thursday.

Both were best-of-three matches. Mercy beat NewCath, 2-0 (25-12, 25-17) and Lexington Henry Clay beat NewCath, 2-0 (25-16, 25-16).

NewCath plays again Tuesday. The Thoroughbreds travel to Campbell County to take on the defending 10th Region champion Lady Camels. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

 

Monday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team tied Ryle, 2-2 to open the season Monday at Tower Park.

The Bluebirds received goals from Kristin Venneman and Kayla Nehus. Goalkeeper Sarah Owen recorded four saves.

Highlands travels to Campbell County on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

All “A” 9^th Region Volleyball:

Beechwood 2, Newport Central Catholic 0:

The Thoroughobreds lost in the opening round of the All “A” Tournament at Beechwood on Monday by 25-19, 25-23 scores to open the season.

Senior setter Alyssa Maier led NewCath with 13 assists. Freshman Rachel McDonald recorded six kills to lead the Thoroughbreds and senior Nikki Kiernan had five kills.

The Thoroughbreds take on Bellevue to open 36th District action tonight. Game time is 7 p.m.