Back-to-back sweeps lift Ely girls to 3-1 record
Ely’s high school volleyball team had little trouble with two conference opponents last week.The Timberwolves swept Babbitt-Embarrass and Orr in Arrowhead Conference play to run their record to 3-1 for the season.The serving game was on Thursday at the high school gymnasium, as Christa Streit pounded home 10 ace serves in a 25-8, 25-14, 25-15 sweep of Orr.“We had great serving for the night and our hitting was on,” said Ely Head Coach Mindy LaTourell.Two nights earlier, Streit had five kills and Barb Klun contributed 24 set assists in a 25-6, 25-17, 25-21 triumph at Babbitt-Embarrass.The Wolves got off to a strong start at Babbitt, dominating the first game and setting the stage for the night.“We had a lot of different people contribute, so it was a nice opportunity for everybody to contribute a little bit to the match,” said LaTourell.Jackie Lekatz came up with five ace serves and four kills for Ely, and Kelsey Ivancich recorded three ace serves.Rafaela Cavalcante contributed eight set assists, while Carlotta Rodino, Janae Baier and Jill Meier had two kills apiece for Ely.“It was a good game for us to be mentally tough in,” said LaTourell. “There was a lot of stoppage in play where the girls had to recover and react to it.”After a lopsided loss in the first game, the Lady Knights (0-4) made the second and third contests much closer.Bobbi Waisanen had two ace serves, seven kills and four digs for the hosts, while teammate Tara Roarty had a pair of kills and 11 set assists.Karena Weber wound up with two kills and seven digs. Jolene Schreffler contributed three digs.The Orr match followed a similar pattern. Ely again dominated the first game and had closer battles in the second and third games.Klun again set up the offense, finishing with a match-high 18 assists and adding three ace serves.Rodino had eight ace serves to go with four kills.Cavalcante netted eight assists and Meier finished with three kills.The Wolves have a big week ahead.They meet Section 7AA rival Greenway tonight in Coleraine, and after Thursday’s home meeting with Cherry, they go to Cromwell Saturday for a tournament.
