By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The mountain may be long and tough.

But new Highlands Ladybirds head volleyball coach Katelyn Sallee and staff have been gearing up for the challenge. Sallee, a former Simon Kenton and Morehead State University standout, took over the program after Whitney Mulroney resigned in the spring. Mulroney and husband Kevin, a former Highlands football player, are expecting their first child.

The Ladybirds have struggled in recent years posting consecutive 13-23 seasons. They lost to eventual state runner-up Notre Dame, 3-0 (25-11, 25-6, 25-7) in the 9th Region quarterfinals last year after losing to Newport Central Catholic, 3-0 (25-6, 25-19, 25-17) in the 36th District championship game. Their last winning season came in 2010 when they finished 10th Region runner-up and their last state tournament appearance came in 2004.

Statewide, private schools have dominated the volleyball scene. Notre Dame has won the majority of the 9th Region tournaments with St. Henry claiming some. Private schools have won all 35 state championships since the tournament began in 1979. A public school did not play for a state championship until 2011 when Greenwood finished runner-up to Assumption.

But Sallee and assistants Beth Pelgen and Molly Wehage, 2009 Highlands graduates, have wonderful places to start. The first is solid community support.

“I was always told the parents would be 110 percent behind me,” Sallee said. “They truly are. They’re excited about what we’re doing, what we’re about. They want to fund things. They want to see things get bigger. They’re behind their girls so that’s really cool.”

The Ladybirds also return an experienced team of three seniors and eight juniors. Only Abby Schweitzer and Mallory Seidel graduated from last year’s team. Sallee said the majority of the players on all three squads play volleyball in the offseason.

“I really like what I see,” Sallee said. “Our varsity program is not young and that’s exciting to me. I see some things we can improve on in terms of our blocking and things at the net. We have the tools. It’s just a matter of sharpening them.”

The three seniors are outside hitter Jessica Ginter, setter/right side hitter Kaitlin Hall and right side/outside hitter Lauren Maines. Ginter and Hall have started on varsity at least the last two years. The three will be expected to provide solid leadership.

“We need to keep our heads above water at all times,” Ginter said. “To me, a bad attitude is infectious. So if we keep everyone positive at all times, then we’ll keep steady and positive the entire year.”

The juniors give Highlands depth. They are middle blocker Kaylan Frisch, defensive specialist/libero AJ Guth, outside hitter Malorie Hegge, middle blocker Maria Hockney, middle blocker/right side hitter Anna Marie Houliston, defensive specialist/libero Sydney Kroger, defensive specialist/right side/outside hitter Izzy Schultz, setter/defensive specialist Ellie Van Curen.

Highlands has also been working on the mental part of the game. Games often went downhill once mistakes started piling up last year.

“A huge philosophy I have is we have to control the controllable,” Sallee said. “There are going to be things you can’t control in the gym. But communication, effort, hustle and things like that, you can control. I expect the seniors to treat the freshmen like they like to be treated. There is an expectation there from the coaching staff that helps the chemistry stay healthy. We haven’t had to intervene because the girls have bought into that.”

Highlands opened the season with a scrimmage against Harpeth Hall from Nashville (Tennessee). The Ladybirds have another scrimmage at North Oldham on Aug. 5 before playing at Cincinnati Anderson on Aug. 19 to open the season.

 

Fort Thomas Sports: Highlands volleyball gearing up for new era

I think Highlands has a chance to win their district this year. NCC graduated a lot and may be down? The 9th is a beast at the top and finishing 2nd in district puts you against Ryle, St. Henry, or NDA - all which will end your season quickly. Gotta finish 1st.

Ft. Thomas needs a youth volleyball league that starts in 2nd and 3rd grade. Thats why the catholic schools are so much further ahead.

Ft. Thomas needs a youth volleyball league that starts in 2nd and 3rd grade. Thats why the catholic schools are so much further ahead.

 

How do you explain Ryle's success? and Campbell County has won the Region the last 2 years in a row.

A grade school league would be somewhat helpful but the key is club ball, especially high level club ball.

 

Although Campbell County has won the last two regional tournaments, their success came only after NCC left an otherwise weak region. Prior to that, NCC had won 8 or nine in a row.

Ft. Thomas needs a youth volleyball league that starts in 2nd and 3rd grade. Thats why the catholic schools are so much further ahead.

 

I use to think the grade school program was solely the reason the Catholic schools always field hugely talented programs year after year, but that wouldn't explain the success of programs like Ryle, Cooper & SK. The majority of the players on public high school teams play club ball year round with most (not all) affiliated with NKYVC or NKJV. If young kids are showing an interest in playing volleyball, parents need to invest in club at an early age. Gone are the days when kids show up in middle school making team never having played the game before. Good coaches are also a big factor in program development. SK consistently does well year after year because Coach Atwood knows the game & knows how to pull the best from her players. Just like AAU for basketball, playing club volleyball gives players an edge & unlike basketball, volleyball is a hard sport to play alone in the driveway!! Down the road, club volleyball is also a great way to attract college scouts that may not happen for school volleyball especially small schools & non-powerhouse teams!!

How do you explain Ryle's success? and Campbell County has won the Region the last 2 years in a row.

 

I believe Gray Middle school have teams at almost every grade and have been very good in years past. I don't think there is a doubt that both public and private schools in Kenton/Boone have well organized leagues to play in.

 

I feel what Bosshog was saying that Campbell County has always fallen behind from the volleyball standpoint because they don't start until 5th grade while almost everyone else starts in 3rd. What grade schools in CC public or private can actually competitive starting that late.

 

The only thing I have noticed is that the girls who have turned into top players in CC are brought up through club volleyball.

The only thing I have noticed is that the girls who have turned into top players in CC are brought up through club volleyball.

 

That's true of the top players in every sport, not just volleyball. If you aren't playing club/select/travel/AAU you are falling behind whoever is playing.

Lot's of familar last names on that roster. I'll have to see them play this year..Good luck to the lady birds.

I believe Gray Middle school have teams at almost every grade and have been very good in years past. I don't think there is a doubt that both public and private schools in Kenton/Boone have well organized leagues to play in.

 

I feel what Bosshog was saying that Campbell County has always fallen behind from the volleyball standpoint because they don't start until 5th grade while almost everyone else starts in 3rd. What grade schools in CC public or private can actually competitive starting that late.

 

The only thing I have noticed is that the girls who have turned into top players in CC are brought up through club volleyball.

 

Correct. Theres not a high enough number of girls exposed to volleyball at a young enough age in Ft. Thomas. Looking at the roster, I believe many of those girls attended catholic grade schools.

VS Harpeth Hall TN

VS North Oldham

Great pics!!!

I use to think the grade school program was solely the reason the Catholic schools always field hugely talented programs year after year, but that wouldn't explain the success of programs like Ryle, Cooper & SK. The majority of the players on public high school teams play club ball year round with most (not all) affiliated with NKYVC or NKJV. If young kids are showing an interest in playing volleyball, parents need to invest in club at an early age. Gone are the days when kids show up in middle school making team never having played the game before. Good coaches are also a big factor in program development. SK consistently does well year after year because Coach Atwood knows the game & knows how to pull the best from her players. Just like AAU for basketball, playing club volleyball gives players an edge & unlike basketball, volleyball is a hard sport to play alone in the driveway!! Down the road, club volleyball is also a great way to attract college scouts that may not happen for school volleyball especially small schools & non-powerhouse teams!!

 

One way they do it is by cheating. Many high school athletes play for schools out of their districted area on the sly. I can think of many sports teams who would, overall, be better or worse if the players played at the schools near where they live. I guess some parents/players just don't like to follow the rules.

One way they do it is by cheating. Many high school athletes play for schools out of their districted area on the sly. I can think of many sports teams who would, overall, be better or worse if the players played at the schools near where they live. I guess some parents/players just don't like to follow the rules.

 

:popcorn:

 

Good thing this is in the volleyball thread, otherwise this would have caused us to be on reply 100 by now.