The Vermilion Ironhawks are going through some growing pains.
New head coach Sammy Redman Wiggen is rolling out an almost entirely new roster, with 10 first-year players among the dozen suiting up for the community college volleyball team.
At least so far, the Ironhawks remain a work in progress and are winless in nine contests, including three last weekend on a road trip to Thief River Falls as well as North Dakota.
Vermilion dropped two contests at the Lake Region Triangular on Saturday, while the night before division rival Northland cruised to a 25-4, 25-13, 25-16 sweep. Northland set the down with a dominant opening set and Pioneers Sierra Westberg and McKenzie Dahl combined for 20 of the team’s 37 kills.
Vermilion had only nine, with five by freshman Emily Burns.
Aubree Gerlovich, a former Ely Timberwolf, finished with team-high eight digs with teammates Ny’Jai Wright, Burns and Makayla Woody recording four each. Lake Region State (N.D.) completed a 25-11, 25-7, 25-12 sweep on Saturday, and the Ironhawks also fell in three to the Jamestown (N.D.) junior varsity.
• In nonconference play Sept. 3, Gogebic rolled to a 25-9, 25-12, 25-7 sweep of Vermilion.
Woody paced the Vermilion defense with a dozen digs and Burns finished with nine, and Mariah Harris followed with five.
Paige Wilson contributed five kills and Burns was next with three, and Olivia Keys dished out four set assists.
• After a weekend trip to Alexandria, the Ironhawks are back home Wednesday (6:30 p.m.) for a division contest against Itasca.
