We fell a little short but at the end of the game I knew they left everything on the floor.”

Head Coach Darren Visser

DULUTH—The Bluestreaks avenged a December loss to Ely on Saturday, ending the Timberwolves’ Section 7A playoff run in a quarterfinals heartbreaker, 45-42, at UMD’s Romano Gym. Playing without their leading scorer, senior Erika Mattson, who was out with an injury, the fourth-seeded Wolves couldn’t quite keep pace with fifth-seed Chisholm.
“We fought hard all the way to the end and had chances in the second half to get a possible victory,” said Ely Head Coach Darren Visser. “We fell a little short but at the end of the game I knew they left everything on the floor.”
Senior Brielle Kallberg led the way offensively for Ely, with 12 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. Eighth-grader Grace LaTourell added 11 points for the Wolves, while freshman Madeline Perry tallied ten points. Senior Winter Sainio added seven points and seven boards.
The season-ending loss came on the heels of Ely’s 47-34 win over Bigfork last Thursday in the opening round of the playoffs. With Mattson out again, Kallberg dominated scoring for Ely, pouring in 33 points, while adding 13 rebounds for another double-double. LaTourell added seven while Perry added five.
Despite the relatively early exit from the playoff hunt, Visser said he was pleased with the team’s overall performance. “With injuries and illnesses our team had some hurdles to overcome and they just continued to work hard and give their best,” he said. “Finishing with 18 wins ties them for third for the most victories in the history of the program.”