While the season didn’t end with a state tournament berth, the 2025 volleyball season included 19 wins and a conference title.
That resulted in postseason honors for the Timberwolves, with three Ely players gaining all-conference recognition.
Senior Sadie Rechichi and juniors Lydia Shultz and Charlotte Hegman were named to both the All-Iron Range Conference and All-Arrowhead Conference teams, as selected by league coaches.
The trio formed a potent nucleus for the Timberwolves, who won the Arrowhead title on the way to going 19-10 with a spot in the Section 7A quarterfinals.
All were first-time all-conference honorees.
Rechichi closed out a strong prep career this fall and was one of the focal points in the Ely lineup.
The senior hitter had 185 kills, second most on the team, and also finished with a team-best 55 ace serves and was second with 213 digs.
“Sadie had a phenomenal senior year,” said head coach Megan Bialik. “She transitioned from the libero position and moved to one of our outside hitter positions. Sadie put her heart and soul into her position and invested a lot of time in bettering herself for her team. She has incredible court awareness, and her passing is a skill that kept our offense anchored. She has a wicked serve and ended with 55 aces for the season.”
Shultz had a breakout junior season - leading the Wolves with 228 kills and 232 digs.
“Lydia is a strong outside hitter for our team and is known for her powerful swing and grit,” said Bialik. “She rallies to keep the ball alive and leads the team in digs. She is also the most consistent server, serving at 94.6% for the season.”
Hegman rounded out the all-conference trip, hammering home 177 kills.
“Charlotte was a rock for us this season, providing consistency and strength at the net every time she stepped on the court,” said Bialik. “She brought energy, focus, and reliability in the middle, always ready for a new challenge.”
Gaining honorable mention were junior Gretta Lowe and senior Makenzi Huntington.
Lowe set up the Ely attack all season long and had 559 set assists, most on the team.
“Gretta was a setter for us this year and was always ready to try new things for her hitters,” said Bialik. “She was dependable and worked hard every day at practice to make herself and her teammates better.”
Huntington contributed in several ways for the Wolves in her senior season, winding up with 97 kills, 39 aces, 141 digs and 117 set assists.
“Kenzi was a middle for us this year and was an allaround versatile player,” said Bialik. “I was always able to rely on Kenzi to play any position needed, and she always stepped up to the plate with a smile on her face. Kenzi was a smart middle hitter and was able to put the ball in a smart spot. She was also strong defensively and hustled to every ball.”
