ELY— With the Section 7A volleyball playoffs set to get underway next week, Ely remains the team to beat. This week, the Wolves added three more straight-set victories to its perfect record against regional competitors, with wins over Nashwauk-Ke ewatin, Cook County, and Bigfork.
Playing at home on Tuesday, the Wolves relied on their front four in the kill zone, led by junior Lilli Rechichi and senior Hannah Penke, who posted nine kills apiece as the Wolves downed the Huskies 25-11, 25-16, and 25-12.
Freshman Audrey Kallberg who has been improving all season, added six kills, while junior Clare Thomas added five kills along with a game-high 13 digs.
Penke added four digs and five ace serves, while Rechichi posted four digs on the night. Freshman Charlotte Hegman added three kills and six digs, while sophomore Saide Rechichi posted six digs. Senior setter Sarah Visser tallied 28 assists and four digs.
It was more of the same during Monday’s contest in Grand Marais as Rechichi tallied 14 kills while Penke added ten as the Wolves easily outpaced the Vikings 25-12, 25-11, and 25-7. Thomas and Kallberg tallied five kills apiece, while Kallberg led the backcourt action with 13 digs and Thomas added eight along with five ace serves. Rechichi added nine digs, while Penke posted eight. Sarah Visser added ten digs along with 36 set assists.
The front four combined for 38 kills last Thursday when the Wolves hosted Nashwauk-Keewatin and sent the Spartans home with a spanking, 25-16, 25-13, and 25-6. Showing machine-like efficiency, the Wolves again why they’re again the odds-on favorite to win the section for a second year in a row.
Rechichi led with 13 kills, while Kallberg added nine and Penke and Thomas posted eight apiece. Backcourt stats were well-distributed as seven players combined for 39 digs. Penke led with nine, while Kallberg posted eight, and sophomore Sadie Rechichi added six. Freshman Charlotte Hegman posted five digs and five ace serves. Visser added 33 assists.