Given three straight section titles and the return of a talented nucleus, it’s no surprise that the Ely Timberwolves again figure to field one of the more potent high school volleyball teams in Section 7A.
But the quest for a fourth consecutive trip to state got a lot harder before the Wolves ever stepped on the court.
Junior Audrey Kallberg, one of the top returning hitters in the section and an all-conference player a year ago, suffered a season-ending injury during the spring and won’t be on the floor when the Wolves open the 2025 season Monday at Deer River.
Ely, which won 28 games in 2024, will certainly miss Kallberg, who had 304 kills and 216 digs, including 18 kills in a section final win over Bigfork.
But Ely’s cupboard is by no means bare, not with the return of junior hitter Charlotte Hegman, who collected 155 kills a year ago, as well as junior setter Gretta Lowe. Both earned honorable mention to the All-Iron Range Conference team.
The Wolves are making adjustments already and have several scrimmages against area teams under their belt.
“It’s been hard to not have Audrey,” said Megan Wognum, who begins her fifth season as Ely’s head coach. “But she is contributing so much off the floor and helping the girls with their timing. It’s been fun. I like to call her my ‘co-coach.’” On the floor, Hegman and Lowe are two of several key pieces to the puzzle as Ely figures to still boast plenty of depth, particularly in comparison to their 7A foes.
Hegman, junior Lydia Shultz, and senior Sadie Rechichi all played extensively last season and form a cadre of outside hitters for the Wolves.
In the middle, Ely will rely on Kenzi Huntington as well as Violet Udovich, who Wognum said “made a lot of growth in the offseason.”
Peyton Huntington figures to contribute from the back row, while juniors Amelia Penke and Ruby Lowe will hit from the right side.
Gretta Lowe will direct traffic after amassing nearly 900 assists while stepping into the Ely lineup at setter.
In scrimmages Saturday at North Woods and Wednesday at Greenway, the Wolves got an advanced look at many of the area’s better teams.
“Both scrimmages went really well and were definitely competitive,” said Wognum. “In our section, volleyball is becoming a very competitive sport. We’re going to have to fight pretty hard for some wins, which will be good for us.”
The Wolves figure to have two tests this week, with the opener at Deer River and Tuesday’s home debut against Class AA Greenway. The home slate includes seven home dates and Ely again takes part in the Class A Volleyball Showcase, which includes much of last year’s state tournament field, from Sept 19-20 at Burnsville.
Turnout for the program is again strong, with approximately 40 girls in grades 7-12.
