Conner at Highlands Takeaways

The Conner Cougars and Highlands Bluebirds have been in the group most likely to break down the 9th Region wall in recent years. Highlands made it to the region semifinals last fall and Conner did it the prior season.   On Thursday in Fort Thomas, the Bluebirds showed they are staying in that group if not possibly ready to move some spots up with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-22) win. Highlands (4-1 overall) did a better job staying in system.   "I think it's taken some time, but they're understanding their roles and how important every one of them are to our success," Highlands head coach Jim DeLong said. "As they are understanding that and buying into that, we realize we can be very, very good I think this year, as long as everyone listens. We made several tactical adjustments in this match that helped get us through."   Conner tried to hit away from Highlands fifth-year libero [player_tooltip player_id='276170' first='Hayden' last='Gessner'], but a number of Bluebirds stepped forward to make the huge first passes including [player_tooltip player_id='827206' first='Madison' last='Barlow'], Mia Perron and [player_tooltip player_id='839058' first='Taylor' last='Janosick']. That let the Highlands senior setters [player_tooltip player_id='503792' first='Ava' last='Muzumdar'] and Audrey Sorrentino dish balls out to a number of talented hitters led by [player_tooltip player_id='590640' first='Liz' last='Perkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='590644' first='Alexis' last='Steinhauser']. Ava Ireland and Janosick also had some nice swings.   Conner (2-4) tried to take advantage of the dynamic sophomore 6-2 outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='579836' first='Charlotte' last='Patton']'s size and diverse skills. Patton and junior setter/outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='484447' first='Shylyn' last='Koerber'] did what they could trying to lift the Cougars to a win. However, Ireland put down some blocks on Patton on her go routes for big points. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='782751' first='Alexis' last='Kampsen'] split the setting duties to let Koerber take some swings and junior Makena Marks had a nice game defensively.   Runs determined the first set. Conner scored three straight to go up 6-4 before the Bluebirds responded with seven in a row on four Hicks aces to go up 11-6. The Cougars did tie it at 18 before Highlands went up 22-18 on three straight Cougars errors and a Barlow ace. Another Hicks ace gave the Bluebirds a 24-19 advantage before the Cougars scored three in a row. Ireland landed another block on Patton to finish the set.   The second set stayed tied for a good bit before Highlands landed some aces to go up 19-13. The Bluebirds extended the lead to 24-15 then won on a Conner hitting error after a Koerber kill.   The third set stayed close the entire way. Highlands did not pull away until scoring three in a row to go up 24-21. Perkins had a big save that Steinhauser put down to give the Bluebirds the lead for good at 22-21. Two more Conner errors gave Highlands game point. Steinhauser then finished the game with a kill.   Highlands hosts Dixie Heights on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Conner does not play again until Sept. 9 at Dixie Heights at 7 p.m.   Notable Performances    Hicks (pictured) did a great job keeping Conner out of system, especially in the first set with outstanding placement on her serves. Hicks can take nice swings when needed and made a number of the simple passes to help the Bluebirds in the win. Hicks said keeping the Cougars out of system was big in terms of not letting the setters get balls, but also trying to keep it away from the dominant hitters, potentially seeing free balls come across the net and put the offense in a good position.     Perkins stayed on point the whole game. Perkins sent a number of hard balls down the line and mixed in crosses when Conner took the line hits away. Perkins provides good leadership for the Bluebirds. Perkins also showed she can record big digs with quick feet and sound net coverage. Perkins said that was a huge turning point in the game with Conner picking up momentum. Perkins said she knew she had to be ready when she saw Patton go up, adding she was excited Steinhauser then got up and put the ball down.     Ireland put up sound double blocks all game, especially on the go routes. That forced the Conners to send some balls high and wide and also made things easier for defensive specialists to dig up balls with touches. The lefty showed she can record some nice kills when needed. Ireland said Patton hit over her at first so she had to make some changes. Ireland admitted she was surprised to block Patton as much as she did, but did note they made a big impact in the game.     Sorrentino gives the Bluebirds another look at the setter spot. She mixes things up with short and long sets after reading defenses. That includes sound back sets. She'll continue to improve as the season progresses.     Patton added to her diverse skill set over the club season and has carried it into the high school season. Patton makes sound passes and takes tough swings at the net using her height to her advantage. Patton is also a sound server. Patton is working on using her off (left) hand to record big kill and surprise defenses. That will work with time. Patton's accuracy and serve reception may not have been the greatest in this game, but Patton learns and grows from mistakes well.    Stat Leaders   Kills   [player_tooltip player_id='579836' first='Charlotte' last='Patton'], Conner - 13   [player_tooltip player_id='590640' first='Liz' last='Perkins'], Highlands -10   [player_tooltip player_id='484447' first='Shylyn' last='Koerber'], Conner - 9   [player_tooltip player_id='590644' first='Alexis' last='Steinhauser'], Highlands - 5   Ava Ireland, Highlands - 4   [player_tooltip player_id='839058' first='Taylor' last='Janosick'], Highlands - 4   Assists   [player_tooltip player_id='503792' first='Ava' last='Muzumdar'], Highlands - 15   Koerber - 12   [player_tooltip player_id='782751' first='Alexis' last='Kampsen'], Conner - 12   Audrey Sorrentino, Highlands - 10   Digs   Koerber - 22   [player_tooltip player_id='276170' first='Hayden' last='Gessner'], Highlands - 13   Makena Marks, Conner - 11   [player_tooltip player_id='827206' first='Madison' last='Barlow'], Highlands - 9   Mia Perron, Highlands - 6   Janosick - 6   Aces   [player_tooltip player_id='836110' first='Meredith' last='Hicks'], Highlands - 5   Sorrentino - 3   Blocks   Ireland - 4   Koerber - 4   [player_tooltip player_id='727125' first='Edy' last='Hobson'], Highlands - 3   Patton - 3   Rhys Everett, Conner - 3   Note from the Writer   Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for one year and a half and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. 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The Conner Cougars and Highlands Bluebirds have been in the group most likely to break down the 9th Region wall in recent years. Highlands made it to the region semifinals last fall and Conner did it the prior season.