Hannah Penke, who helped Ely’s high school volleyball team to a state consolation title, is making a big impact on a collegiate volleyball court as well.
Penke, a sophomore at Bethel University in the Twin Cities suburb of Arden Hills, recorded a team-high 16 kills for the Royals in a five-set loss to St. Mary’s on Nov. 1.
Three nights earlier, Penke led Bethel with nine kills and added 18 digs in a threeset Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference sweep of Macalester.
Penke, a 5-9 outside hitter, has moved into the regular rotation for Bethel, which is 6-3 in the MIAC and 13-9 overall heading into the final week of conference play.
The Royals will begin conference tournament action next week.
For the season, Penke has 222 kills, second most on the team. She is also second in digs with 296.
So far this fall, Penke has reached double digits in kills 10 times, including a season-best 22 in a late-September clash at St. Olaf.
Penke made the all-state tournament team in 2023, when the Wolves won the state consolation title. She was also an All-Arrowhead Conference and All-Iron Range Conference honoree while playing at Ely.
