Seniors serve with pride in regular season finale

Eva Smith, Nora Baker, and Maggie Frimming

October 22, 2025

Highlands Varsity Volleyball won their final in-season game against Cooper on Oct. 16, going 3-1 in this match, adding to their record of 22-9, sending them off to districts.

In the first set, Cooper took an early lead, but the Birds crept back, winning the first set (25-19). The team maintained a lead in the second set and won it 25-16. The Birds put up a strong fight in the 3rd set but ended up losing 20-25. Finally, in the last set, the Birds brought home the win with the score being 25-14.

Defensively, Libero Hayden Gessner (12) set a new school record of 1,361 career digs as a bluebird. Gessner added 19 digs during this match-up. Shortly behind Setter Ava Muzamdar had 14 digs.

Offensively, Highlands Outside Taylor Janosick(11) led the team with 10 kills during this game. Following closely behind Janosick was Outside hitter Liz Perkins (12) with 9 kills, and right side hitter Alexis Steinhauser (10), also with 9 kills in this matchup.

Madison Barlow (12) and Bella Thomas (10) led the team with 4 service aces each, helping secure the victory, while Audrey Sorrentino (12) followed behind with 2 service aces.

At the net, Thomas (10) led with 3 blocks during the game. Liz Perkins (12), Edy Hobson (10), and Taylor Janosick (11) followed behind, each with 1 block.

Setter Audrey Sorrentino and Ava Muzamdar (12) led the team with 16 assists each, while Gessner (12) followed shortly behind with 14 assists.

The Birds ended the season first in the district and sixth in the region, setting them up for postseason play.

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About the Contributors

Eva Smith, Social Media Editor

Eva is a Sophomore at Highlands High School. This is her second year in journalism and her first year in publications. This year, she is one of the Social Media Editors. She hopes to be able to widen her skills in journalism in both photography and social media skills. Along with journalism, Eva also participates in theater all year and track in the late winter and spring.

Nora Baker

Nora Baker is a Freshman at Highlands and is taking Intro to journalism . She has been enrolled in Fort Thomas Independent School District since she was in kindergarten at Moyer Elementary. She plays volleyball for Highlands. She enjoys listening to music, taking pictures, baking, and hanging out with friends or family. Her favorite part of journalism is going to all kind of sporting events and capturing photos. She loves to give back to her community by volunteering and collecting toys each Christmas season. Nora is super excited to see where her journalism career at Highlands takes her.

Maggie Frimming

Maggie Frimming is a Freshman at Highlands and is taking Journalism this year. She is super excited to see where Journalism will take her in the future. Maggie dances and teaches at Manyet Dance and spends most of her time there after school. Maggie also spends her free time golfing with her dad and is playing for the Highlands team next year. Her favorite part of Journalism is getting to capture special moments for people, and she loves being able to put a smile on their faces. She is super excited to see where Journalism will take her in the future.