The Highland volleyball team headed into the regular season finale with Neosho County looking to secure the three seed in the postseason District tournament and needed a win alongside a Cowley win over Johnson County and finished the night with both.

The #11 Scotties after a slow start secured a three set win 25-23, 26-24, 25-23 over Neosho County on the road in Chanute, Kansas while Cowley helped the Scotties out by beating Johnson County in four sets to help Highland earn the three seed in the District Tournament and finish third in the KJCCC.

It was a rough start to the night as the Scotties came out of the gates slow falling behind 8-0 in the first set to the Panthers of the Neosho County. That deficit drew to 10 at 12-2 but the Scotties mounted a comeback getting a dump attack by Kellyn Lipasek, big block upfront by Kendra McDonald and plays all-around working to tie the game at 17-17. Highland snagged their first lead at 18-17 and went on to take the first set 25-23.

Set two was and back and forth affair throughout the contest with neither team taking more than a three tally lead as both teams put together small runs against each other. Scotties went up 24-21 but Neosho answered back to tie the set at 24-24 before the Scotties capped the second set with the final two points to win it 26-24.

After trading points early in the third set Neosho gained the advantage and held it until a Jessica Monroe block gave Highland the 19-18 lead and the Scotties would go on to snatch the third set 25-23 and grab the match in three sets.

Cajia Allen led the way for the Scotties with her 23^rd career double-double posting 16 kills and 12 digs, while adding an assist and ace. Her 16 kills on the night moved her into third all-time in school history in career kills. Abby Williams was strong with nine kills and a career best 12 digs which was double her previous career best. Monroe added nine kills, four digs and four blocks, while Nicole Franco finished with 12 digs and five kills.

Amber Hildebrand made it eight straight matches for her with double figure digs finishing with a team high 13, while Lipasek had 36 assists.

The win moves the Scotties to 28-8 on the season and gives them a 7-3 record in KJCCC for the 2019 season placing third in the Conference, it also marks the third straight win over Neosho County in the series.

With the win and the Cowley win over Johnson County the Highland has secured the three seed in the District Tournament and will travel to Fort Scott on Saturday, November 9^th to look to capture a National Tournament bid. Scotties are set to take on the winner of Region II in the Semifinals (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M) and then with a win would play Fort Scott or Cloud County in the District Championship.