International Falls finally played at home Thursday, and they treated the home crowd to a convincing 3-0 victory over Ely (25-22, 25-12, 25-12).
“It’s nice,” Broncos head coach Erin Shikowsky said. “Any time you have a home game it’s a little less stressful without the travel. And the hometown crowd. It’s enjoyable.”
International Falls hadn’t played at home since losing to rival Littlefork-Big Falls on Sept. 18.
“I thought we played well the last time we were home, but we’ve improved offensively,” Shikowsky said, noting passing was the key Thursday.
Ely (4-9) was an inferior team, as well.
Arntz led the Timberwolves with only five kills, while Alyssa Levar tallied three kills.
Sydney Gordon posted a season-high 17 kills alone for the Broncos. She also added 12 digs, five aces and two ace blocks. Katie Graves tallied five kills and 10 digs, Mackenzie Raboin made seven digs, Kara Kennedy dished out 11 set assists and Reva Renollet had eight set assists.
The only hiccup for the Broncos was in game one as a 17-10 lead evaporated with the strong serving of Timberwolves senior Chelsea Winkler. Winkler turned a 17-10 game into an 18-17 lead for her squad.
The Broncos (6-9) rallied, however, and an unforced error by Ely put the home team up 23-22. Falls scored the last two points, the final point on an ace, and rolled through games two and three.
International Falls led 24-9 at one point in game two and 24-11 at one point in game 3.
The Broncos’ next bit of action is Saturday in the Esko Tournament. All games begin at 9 a.m.
