The competition was fierce for the Ely Timberwolves on a road trip to the Twin Cities.
In less than 24 hours, the Wolves fell five times to high-caliber competition at the Class A Showcase, an event that attracted 10 of the state’s top-11 Class A volleyball teams.
The three-time defending Section 7A champion Timberwolves couldn’t keep up with the powerful foes, which included fourth-ranked Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, sixth-rated Canby and number-nine Kenyon-Wanamingo.
In pool play action on Sept. 19, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton dominated the Wolves in a 25-20, 25-8 sweep.
Canby scored a 25-17, 25-11 win the same day.
Saturday was no kinder to the Wolves, who lost 25-15, 25-23 to Kenyon-Wanamingo, 25-20, 25-15 to Wabasso and 25-10, 25-22, to Kittson County Central.
Ely (10-7) rebounded Tuesday with a four-set home win over Duluth Marshall, and a Homecoming week showdown with fellow section contender North Woods looms this week (Tuesday, Sept. 30).
But in Burnsville, the Wolves had difficulty against state-level competition.
Ely could muster little offense against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, with Sadie Rechichi and Lydia Shultz recording two kills each.
Junior Charlotte Hegman had three kills and Makenzi Huntington finished with seven digs against Canby.
Ely seemed most competitive with Kenyon-Wanamingo, as Shultz finished with six kills while Rechichi and Hegman were next with four each.
Setter Gretta Lowe dished out nine assists in that matchup.
Lowe had another dozen assists against Wabasso, while Hegman (seven kills) and Rechichi (four kills, four digs) were next on the statistical chart.
Junior Ameila Penke led with 10 digs and Shultz wound up with four kills and four digs in the loss to Kittson County Central.
Playing before the home crowd, Ely bounced back this week against Duluth Marshall.
Despite a second-set hiccup, Ely controlled play and won 25-15, 19-25, 25-16, 25-13.
With play knotted at a set apiece, Ely came out buzzing in the third set and put the visiting Hilltoppers away early.
Duluth Marshall never really recovered, and Ely pulled away for a double-digit win in the fourth to close out the contest.
Shultz had a double-double with 12 kills and 13 digs to pace the Wolves, with Hegman contributing another 12 kills with five digs.
Ruby Lowe notched six digs, Makenzi Huntington finished with five and Rechichi was next with four.
On defense, Ely’s Peyton Huntington picked up 17 digs and Penke was next with 15.
Gretta Lowe had eight digs to go with her match-high 35 set assists.
• Prior to Tuesday’s matchup with North Woods, Ely is also home Monday against Northeast Range.
