Ely outlasts MIB in reguar season finale

Ely’s high school volleyball team is heading into the postseason with a full head of steam.Before a Parents’ Night crowd Monday at the high school gymnasium, the Timberwolves rallied for a five-game, Arrowhead Conference win over Mt. Iron-Buhl.Barb Klun had a season-high 41 assists, and teammates Jackie Lekatz and Rafaela Cavalcante had 21 kills each, as Ely prevailed 23-25, 25-23, 25-7, 16-25, 16-14.The Wolves, who open Section 7AA playoff action Wednesday in Coleraine against Virginia, finished the regular season with a 12-12 record.A narrow win in the second game started the Ely surge toward the .500 mark.The Rangers, who got 16 kills from Venessa Knuti, won the first game and battled Ely to the wire in the second.Ely eked out the win in game two and took a two games to one lead with a decisive third-game effort.The Rangers forced a fifth game and battled the Wolves to the end, but Ely had just enough left to hold on.A strong offensive attack was paced by Cavalcante and Lekatz.Christa Streit added 10 kills for the Wolves in her final home match.Klun had seven ace serves to go with her assists and Cavalcante finished with five ace serves.On defense, Lekatz contributed 16 kills and a pair of blocks.Jessica Avikainen wound up with 37 set assists and Megan Downs added nine kills for the Rangers.• Ely is seeded fifth in the east half of 7AA and takes on number-four Virginia at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Greenway.The winner of that match is likely to take on top-seed Greenway on Friday, also at Coleraine.The tournament continues next week with the semifinals (Nov. 4) and finals (Nov. 6), both at Grand Rapids.