In some ways, this week marks the calm before a fall sports storm.
A couple of area high school teams get rolling with preseason activities this week, leading up to a full slate by the week of Aug. 31. The action starts today, when the Ely Timberwolves join several area volleyball teams at a series of scrimmages hosted by Hibbing.
The Saturday morning event begins at 9 a.m.
Ely will test itself against area opposition both at Hibbing and again at Tuesday’s Iron Range Conference Jamboree at Chisholm.
That event also starts at 9 a.m. and will put the Wolves in 30-minute scrimmages against league foes Mesabi East, Chisholm, Deer River and Greenway.
Those contests are tuneups prior to an Aug. 31 season- opener, at home, against Deer River.
Hopes are high for the Wolves, who won 19 games last fall and again figure to be a leading contender in Section 7A.
Seniors Lydia Shultz and Charlotte Hegman gained all-conference recognition last year, while classmate Gretta Lowe got honorable mention.
The Wolves also figure to get a big boost from the return of senior Audrey Kallberg, who missed her entire junior year with a knee injury.
Led by head coach Megan Bialik, the Wolves begin the season ranked 10th in the state in Class A. Ely won the 7A title and advanced to state in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
• Also due for action this week are the Northeast Range/Ely swimmers.
Head Coach Cheri De-Beltz leads a roster with 18 swimmers, but the Nighthawks will be younger overall than they have been the past several seasons.
The Nighthawks will get a taste of competition Thursday, taking part in the Rock Ridge Relays in an event that begins at 1 p.m., at the Rock Ridge campus between Virginia and Eveleth.
NRE will make its home debut on Thursday, Sept. 3, with a 5 p.m. home meet against Proctor.
The first dual meet is Sept. 1 at International Falls for the Nighthawks, who are led by senior captain Moon Vetos-Keen and junior captain Jorden Borchert.
• Ely’s high school football team wrapped up its first week of practice on Friday, and the Wolves will close out week number two on Saturday, Aug. 29, welcoming Chisholm for a 9 a.m. scrimmage at Ely School Stadium.
Louie Gerzin coaches the Wolves, who are trying to improve after a 2-7 campaign last fall.
Ely opens with a Sept. 3 game at Barnum with the home opener set for Sept. 11 against International Falls.
Fall Homecoming will be celebrated Sept. 18 against Mt. Iron-Buhl.
Because of low participation numbers, Ely will not field a junior high team this season.
Ely’s cross country season begins with a Sept. 3 meet at Virginia.
