BIGFORK— It was after the second game of what looked to be just another easy match win for Ely’s remarkable volleyball squad that the weight of an unprecedented season just might have caught up to the Timberwolves.
After taking the first two sets 25-12, 25-9, and literally on the verge of clinching a perfect season for the first time in Ely volleyball history, it seemed that things fell apart— at least momentarily.
The Huskies played tight and it seemed the Wolves suddenly had the jitters in what should have been a routine match against a clearly weaker opponent.
“There was a lot of weight on everyone’s shoulders tonight,” acknowledged Ely Head Coach Megan Wognum after the match. Bigfork took the third set 29-27, but it was just the slap in the face that the Wolves might have needed to get back to business and close out a perfect 25-0 regular season with a 25-5 rout in the fourth set of the match.
“To say I’m proud is an understatement,” said Wognum. “This team has proven to be a hard-working group of ladies with so much ahead of them both in volleyball and in their future careers outside of the gym.”
While the Wolves had the makings of a winning season, with a talented senior-dominated starting lineup, it was the intangibles that seemed to come together for Ely during their remarkable regular season. While most winning squads rely on a couple top players to carry the load, the Wolves were remarkable all season for their depth as at least a half dozen players shared the limelight on the stat board in any given contest.
Seniors Kate and Rachel Coughlin, and Madeline Kallberg, along with juniors like Hannah Penke, and Sarah Visser, and sophomores like Lilli Rechichi and Clare Thomas, all made their mark on the board consistently throughout the season.
Even after a grueling 25 game season, Wognum was still continuously impressed at what her team was able to do. “They have talent, grit, and overall toughness to accomplish anything,” she said.
Tuesday’s regular season finale came on top of Monday’s convincing straight set victory against Cook County. After a routine 25-10 win in the first set, a momentary Ely lapse in the second allowed the Vikings to close the final gap to 25-21, but the Wolves proved that was a fluke as they clamped down in the final set, winning 25-8.
“We were really together as a team tonight,” said Wognum. “These girls have grown so much throughout the season. When they play with passion, they are unstoppable.”
Penke posted another strong performance, notching 13 kills and ten digs, while Rachel Coughlin posted nine kills, seven digs four blocks and four aces. Kate Coughlin added six kills, six digs, and four aces and Visser added nine aces and six digs on top of 20 set assists. Sophomore Lilli Rechichi added five kills and four digs.
In action last Thursday in Nashwauk, the Spartans made it a contest even as the Wolves won in straight sets, 25-13, 25-18, and 25-19.
“We had a very competitive game with Nashwauk tonight,” said Wognum after the game. “Our hitters stepped up and found some open spots on the floor and used that to our advantage. We were also able to get some blocks up to help boost our momentum at times.”
Penke had another big night for Ely, posting a season-high 15 kills, 15 digs, and four aces. Rachel Coughlin added ten kills, 13 digs, and seven blocks, while her sister Kate added seven kills, 16 digs, and five aces. Kallberg tallied eight kills, three blocks and as many digs. Visser added 24 assists and eight digs, while senior Courtney Eilrich posted eight digs.
As top seed, Ely will host its first two playoff contests, with games set for next Wednesday, Oct. 26 followed by Friday, Oct. 28. Their competitors are yet to be announced.