Odmark: ‘We’re ready for prime time’

Through the first three weeks of the volleyball season, the Ellsworth Panthers have competed in various tournaments and quads, which head coach Allison Odmark believes have prepared her roster for the Middle Border Conference opener against Altoona on Thursday, Sept. 15.

Ellsworth gained confidence as a program at the New Richmond quad where the Panthers played close, competitive sets in loss – es against Prescott and New Richmond, and solid volleyball in the two-set victory against Durand on Tuesday, Aug. 30.

The Panthers’ first meeting with the rival Prescott Cardinals occurred at the aforementioned quad. Prescott got out to a quick 9-5 lead in large part because of the dominance at the net with junior Reese Ptacek and sophomore Natalie Ptacek, two six-footers who controlled the game in the trenches.

However, it was Ellsworth’s ball control that led the Panthers on a scoring run that culminated in a Panther kill which brought the set within one point at 13-12. Prescott promptly responded with a middling scoring run to make it 20-15 in favor of the Cardinals. Ellsworth battled back but ultimately came up short in the 25-18 loss in the debut set. Prescott took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

The second set featured more of the same from Prescott, as the Cardinals again took an early lead. This time it was 9-4 in favor of Prescott which forced a timeout by coach Odmark. Ellsworth generated another scoring run as junior setter Ava Brookshaw distributed the ball around to teammates for kills.

Prescott head coach Tracey Budworth stopped Ellsworth’s scoring run with a timeout once Ellsworth had pulled within three at 13-10 Cardinals. A few minutes later, Prescott mounted a 5-0 run to take control of the set shortly before defeating Ellsworth 2517 to sweep the series 2-0.

While Ellsworth lost to Prescott in two sets, both were competitive and at one point, could have gone either way. Last season, Prescott crushed Ellsworth in all three meetings. For first-year head coach Odmark, competing with Prescott this early in the season is a great sign for matches to come.

“I think today the scores don’t really reflect what happened,” Odmark said. “The Prescott score doesn’t look great, but we were playing with them the whole time. We just had a couple of slumps where they had a run of six points. If you don’t worry about that, we’re in every set and every game.” After the match against Prescott, Ells – worth faced the Durand Panthers in another best-of-three series. The Panther v. Panther matchup quickly turned into a grudge match as neither team could go on a notable scoring run. Ellsworth and Durand were knotted up multiple times throughout the first set including 11-11, 19-19, and 23-23.

Ellsworth pulled away late in the first set to secure a 26-24 victory and take a 1-0 lead in the series. Ellsworth exploded out of the gate in the second set and grabbed a 13-5 lead over Durand. The Panthers cruised to a 25-13 victory to sweep Durand and add to the 2022 win total.

Sophomore Maleah Petersen was a force up front for Ellsworth, as her size and athletic ability helped the Panthers control the game at the net against Durand. Odmark spoke about having Petersen for a couple more sea – sons.

“She’s only a sophomore, so that’s really fun,” Odmark said. “From last year to this year, she’s improved a lot. Knowing that we get her for two more seasons is really fun. She’s already been a leader for us, and hope –

fully, she can continue to grow with confidence and skills.” Ellsworth’s third and final series was against the hosting New Richmond Tigers. The Panthers fell behind early, at one point trailing 7-1 in the first set. Odmark’s squad battled back and tied the game 15-15 with a couple of aces from the aforementioned Petersen.

Ellsworth held strong and tied the game 19-19, 20-20 and 22-22 before falling 25-22 in the opening set against the Tigers. The second set proved to be competitive as well, de – spite New Richmond securing the 2-0 series victory with a 25-18 victory over Ellsworth.

Before the season, Odmark told the Journal that she wanted to be competitive in every set this season. For the most part, the Panthers have done that and it appears that the girls are staying positive and communicating on the floor better than in previous years.

“The girls are playing together,” Odmark said. “Even before the game, the girls are goofing around and doing stuff together. I can tell they’re looser and more comfortable being themselves and that’s great.” Ellsworth’s final quad of the season was on Thursday, Sept. 8, at Elk Mound. Ells – worth lost the first two matches 0-2 against Somerset and Glenwood City before defeat – ing Elk Mound 2-0. Odmark stated that she was happy with how the girls bounced back against Elk Mound after two early defeats.

As Ellsworth heads into the Middle Border Conference opener on Thursday, Sept. 15, at home against Altoona, the Panthers are already nearing last season’s win total. Odmark spoke about being ready for the conference games to begin.

“The girls are ready for a home game and I think we’re ready for prime time,” Odmark said. “We’ve only had quads and tournaments. Now we have a week to prepare (for Altoona). The girls are really excited and so am I.”

Ellsworth’s Brenna LaBahn sets a ball for one of the Panthers’ outside hitters during the first set against Prescott at the New Richmond quad on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Photo by Reagan Hoverman