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Home court advantage wasn’t enough to help the Vermilion Ironhawks reverse a season-long losing streak.
Both Mesabi and Lake Region scored easy wins over the community college volleyball team in last weekend’s home triangular, while Rainy River came to Ely Wednesday night and left with a 25-11, 25-15, 25-9 sweep.
Vermilion fell to 0-9 for the season.
“We are improving every day but it is still a roller coaster of results,” said Vermilion head coach Aaron Bender. “Passing is good, then we can’t execute a good hit. We get a few aces, then we miss serves when we need a big point. I love working with these girls because they give everything they have, but we are in need of a win right now.”
Former Ely Timberwolf Aubree Gerlovich recorded 13 set assists and delivered four kills for the Ironhawks against Rainy River.
Isabelle Mattson was another top hitter with four kills, with teammates Keara Butterfield and Katy Ellis notching three each. Tatiana Whiting was next with two.
Butterfield contributed seven digs and Mattson had six.
On Saturday, Mesabi’s Katie Peck had 13 kills and five ace serves as the visiting Norse rolled to a 25-9, 25-10, 25-6 Northern Division rout.
Mattson and Ellis paced a limited Vermilion offense with three kills each.
In the finale, Lake Region dominated the opening set on the way to a 25-4, 25-19, 25-6 victory.
Ellis, Mattson and Whiting all had three kills and Gerlovich set up what was a limited Vermilion offense, contributing 10 assists for the afternoon.
