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The Ely high school volleyball team had a 2-0 lead on Friday at the State Tournament but lost 3-2 to New Life Academy. The Wolves finished 28-5 for the year.
It was Ely’s first five set match of the year and the Wolves battled, losing 25-18, 25-23, 13-25, 19-25 and 14-16.
“A lot of the teams that are here are playing five sets frequently within their season and unfortunately, with the competition we face throughout our season, we don't get challenged and we don't often go five sets, so I think our stamina wasn't quite where it needed to be but our skill level was,” said Head Coach Megan Wognum.
New Life Academy had lost in five sets in the quarterfinals and appeared to make adjustments to Ely’s offense.
“They didn't have their block together in the first two sets. And they came into the third set ready to go, and we just had a hard time manipulating the ball and strategically placing it when we were getting shook a little bit from the block,” said Wognum
Leading the way for the Wolves was sophomore Audrey Kallberg with 19 kills while classmate Greta Lowe had 49 set assists. Seniors Lilli Rechichi and Clare Thomas finished with 15 and 11 kills. Sophomore Charlotte Hegman also had 11 kills.
Wognum said it was too soon to encapsulate the season but she was proud of her team and their successes this season.
“Getting to State is a huge deal. being invited to a Class A Tournament in Burnsville is a huge deal. Some of the wins that we had throughout the season against decent teams in our section are also a huge deal,” said Wognum. “I hope that the girls take all of those positives away from the season and all the memories that they made at State, so that they can look back in a positive spirit.”
