Thursday update: Ely defeated South Ridge in five sets on Wednesday to advance to the section championship match on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Rock Ridge.

ELY— The Ely Timberwolves may be the odds-on favorite to capture the Section 7A volleyball title again this year, but they’ll be facing a major test on Wednesday evening (after the Timberjay’s weekly deadline) when they take on South Ridge, the south subsection’s second seed, in the playoff’s semi-final round.
The Panthers will be looking to avenge their semi-final round loss to the Wolves last year and they’re riding a 13-game winning streak so they could well be the Wolves’ biggest test in section play so far this season.
“The girls are really eager and hungry for a win on Wednesday,” said Ely Head Coach Megan Wognum. “We have been working hard at practice to refine some all-around skills to help us become stronger to play South Ridge. We know they will come ready to play so we need to do the same.”
The Wolves were headed to the semi-finals after easily outpacing fourth-seeded Chisholm in the quarter-final round last Friday, 25-14, 25-10, and 25-16. Senior Hannah Penke was back in top form for the Wolves, leading the way with 11 kills and 17 digs in the contest, while junior Clare Thomas racked up eight kills and ten digs. Junior Lilli Rechichi posted eight kills as well, along with five digs and led in block assists with three. Freshman Audrey Kallberg added four kills and 11 digs, while senior setter Sarah Visser posted 28 assists, six digs, and four ace serves.
The Wolves made it to Friday’s quarterfinals after routing Littlefork-Big Falls in straight sets, 25-9, 25-9, and 25-11.
Penke again led in kills with 14, while Rechichi posted ten along with seven digs. Kallberg added five kills, while Visser posted 29 assists and five ace serves.