The Campbell County Camels volleyball team did not take Calvary Christian for granted despite their dominance over their 37th District foes.
Campbell County (6-7) drove over the Licking River and took care of the host Calvary Christian Cougars, 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-16). It gets them off to a 1-0 start in district play with two big matchups looming against Scott on Sept. 27 and Bishop Brossart on Oct. 5.
The Camels have found a new gear after a 1-4 start to the season, winning five of their last eight including a win over a 16-3 Simon Kenton team and a five-set loss to a 12-2 Conner team.
“I wouldn’t say it’s 100 percent down. But (the team) chemistry is down to where we can work on other things,” said Mikah Freppon, Campbell County head coach. “They’re eager to learn whether it’s jump setting, other play calls or whatever. That’s awesome to see.”
Campbell County had 37 digs, 32 kills, 27 assists, eight aces, six assisted blocks and four solo blocks. Emma Manser led the way with 12 kills, three aces, two solo blocks and one assisted block. Lexi Scharold recorded her 500th career kill with seven to go with one solo and two assisted blocks. Hope Hamilton had four kills, one solo and one assisted block with Pennie Stacey recording three kills.
Ella Thorwarth led the Camels with four aces and 14 digs. A’Lon McIntyre and Hamilton had eight digs each. Ava Crowl had 12 assists and Hamilton had 11.
“I think we’ve always known the skill was there, especially with us six seniors,” Crowl said. “We’ve played together for five-plus years, club included. I think we’ve really hunkered down in practice on those connections between the pass, setting and hitting.”
Calvary Christian (10-6) is still on a path to its sixth winning season in seven years. The Cougars had 61 digs, 27 assists, 28 kills, three aces and two solo blocks. Anna Hickey had 10 kills, 18 digs and two aces. Ella Mulling led Calvary with 21 digs and Savannah Ryan had a team-high 24 assists.
“They’re a really good group of young ladies. I’ve had them since they were eighth graders that have moved up from middle school to JV and varsity,” said Becky Stelzer, Calvary Christian head coach. “The encouragement that they give each other is just really great to see.”
Campbell County plays at Williamstown (5-9) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Calvary plays host to Dayton (6-11) at the same time.
Other Volleyball Score
Lloyd Memorial 2, Dayton 0 (25-22, 25-21)
Girls Soccer
Highlands 3, Campbell County 0
The Bluebirds ventured south and shut out their county rivals.
Laney Smith and Kate Jaime had one goal and one assist in the win for Highlands (9-2-1). Kate Fausz had the other Highlands goal. Smith’s goal was her team-high 16th of the season.
“Campbell County plays a pretty tight defense. They play behind and look for counter-attacks,” said Chris Norris, Highlands head coach. “We led 1-0 at halftime. We had to regain the mental focus. We came out, scored two goals and started subbing in.”
Highlands outshot Campbell County, 12-2. Goalkeepers Natalie Hinegardner and Bailey Markus earned the shutout, Markus with two saves.
“In the first half, we just weren’t able to complete passes to our wings. We talked about that more at halftime about how we can drop back and help defend, said Lindsay Stein, Highlands senior. “In the second half, I think we fixed that a lot. We had our wings pop in so we can check for the ball. Then we did multiple overlapping runs and fixed our play.”
Highlands will go down to Lexington on Thursday to play in the Knights Cup Challenge against either Notre Dame (11-1-1) or Assumption (6-2-2) at 6 or 8 p.m. Campbell County (5-7-1) travels to Bishop Brossart (9-4-1) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Simon Kenton 3, Taylor (Ohio) 2
The Pioneers won their third in a row and fourth in the last five edging the Ohio visitors.
Cam Ruble led the way with one goal and one assist. Reese Johnson and Ella Smith added goals and Alexis Howard had an assist for the Pioneers (7-7) with goalkeeper Fayth Tomlin making seven saves.
Simon Kenton plays host to Beechwood (7-4-2) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Lexington Catholic 3, Dixie Heights 0
The Colonels lost their opening game of the Lexington Catholic Challenge Cup.
Dixie Heights (9-4) plays again at LexCath on Wednesday at 6 p.m. against last year’s state runner-up Elizabethtown (9-2-1).
Scott 1, Newport Central Catholic 0
The Eagles shut out the Thoroughbreds in non-region play for their fourth win in the last six games.
Brooke Hoerlein scored the goal for the Eagles (7-5-2) and Josie Puthoff had the assist. Goalkeeper Savannah Black had 14 saves.
Scott plays at Holy Cross (7-5) on Wednesday at 5 p.m. NewCath (2-12) plays host to Ryle (4-8) at the same time.
Dayton 3, Frankfort Christian 2
Dayton earned its fourth win of the season with a one-goal victory over Frankfort Christian.
Zoe Sparks, Angie Thomas Perez and Lauren Holt scored the goals for the Greendevils, Thomas Perez and Holt with assists. Lacey Holt made 26 saves in goal.
Dayton (4-5-1) hosts Villa Madonna on Tuesday night at 6 p.m.
Cooper 10, East Jessamine 1
The Jaguars recorded their highest goal total of the season in the win over East Jessamine.
McKayla Harsley, Jayden Herald, Izabella Lawrence and Raegan Johnson scored two goals each while Marley Price and Claire Tveton also found the back of the net. Goals were assisted by Johnson with two, Maleah Alexander with two, Harsley, Miley McDermott, Alexa Shupe and Emily Green with one apiece.
Cooper (7-3-2) is outscoring the opponent 51-11 on the season heading into a 33rd District showdown with Conner on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at home.
Walton-Verona 7, Ludlow 1
Campbell Christy added three more goals to her season total of 22 as the Bearcats ran away from the Panthers.
Trinity Bauwens, Macy Sawyer, Emma Landrum and Avery Turner added goals, Landrum with two assists, Emma Moore, Emily Bowlin and Olivia Sams assisting on other goals.
Brynn Willis made six saves in net for Walton-Verona (10-1-2).
The Bearcats will play in their All “A” sectional game with Brown on Wednesday at home at 6 p.m.
Ludlow’s (5-4-1) lone goal came from Addy Garrett, Quinn Dorger with the assist. Brooklyn Huff made 14 saves. The Panthers host St. Henry on Thursday in a 34th District matchup.
Conner 5, Madison Central 1
Cayley Eilers netted a hat trick as Conner (11-2-2) earned their ninth win in the last 11 games.
Reagan Buchert and Ashley Sweetay also found the back of the net, Milana Arevalo dishing out three assists, Eilers and Audrey Blatz also adding assists.
Ally Welch had five saves in net.
Conner plays at Cooper on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Other Girls Soccer Scores
Bellevue 3, Calvary Christian 3
Beechwood 5, Boone County 0
Boys Soccer Scores
Covington Catholic 5, DeSales 2
Holy Cross 6, Carroll County 2
East Jessamine 5, Walton-Verona 3
Withrow (Ohio) 6, Holmes 0