Wolves crack top ten in state rankings

REGIONAL- The Ely volleyball team went 2-3 against a field packed with Minnesota’s top Class A programs Friday and Saturday at the Class A Showcase in Burnsville, then moved up two spots to ninth in the latest Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association poll.
Ely entered the 16-team tournament ranked 11th. The event at Midwest Volleyball Warehouse included all 10 of the teams ranked ahead of the Wolves, along with other vote-getters and past state tournament programs.
The Wolves opened Friday’s pool play against Minneota, then ranked No. 2. Minneota swept Ely 25-9, 25-15, went on to win the tournament, and moved into the No. 1 spot in this week’s poll.
Ely then fell to seventh-ranked Sacred Heart 25-18, 25-13, but closed the day with a sweep of unranked Spring Grove, winning 25-23 and 25-22.
The Wolves opened Saturday with a 25-20, 25-20 loss to third-ranked Mayer Lutheran before finishing the tournament with a three-set win over ninth-ranked Mabel-Canton. After dropping the opening set 25-17, Ely rallied for 25-18 and 15-12 wins to take the match.
Ely placed 11th in the final tournament standings.