PRESCOTT — Ellsworth took care of business in three straight sets on the road against rival Prescott (25-23, 25-18, 25-21) Thursday.

Ellsworth held a slim lead for the majority of the first set until Prescott tied it up at 17. Just like that it became a tug-of-war match for the final points of the set, tying up again at 18, then 19, then 20, then 21, then 22 and finally 23 before Ellsworth scored the final two points of the set on an errant serve and an ace from junior Ada Erlandson. The second set was fairly comfortable the whole way in a 25-18 win. The final set was a nailbiter early, but the Panthers held on to a one-point lead for much of it until they grabbed control for an 18-12 lead.

“The Prescott game was a great win for us. Definitely much needed,” Head Coach Emily Fedie said. “We had momentum the entire time and we really came together as a team. I was really proud of the girls for having fire the whole night.”

Both Ellsworth and Prescott got out to slow starts on the year; however, they are digging in of late. The Cardinals got a big five-set win over Amery earlier in the week.

On the court, Ellsworth seemed to have success in every facet of the game.

“Quite a few things were going well for us. Number one, our serve-receive was on. We were able to get the ball up to our setter,” Fedie said. “Hitting was on that night. My outsides were making some really big swings and my setter was able to mix it up and utilize my middles a lot more than we have been.”

Fedie said the block was about as strong as it has been all year and the back line was moving around well. Getting that rivalry win on the road is something that could turn around the momentum as the playoffs approach.

“Huge. That was absolutely huge for us. It’s kind of our turning point moment is what I’m hoping for,” Fedie said.

Fedie said it was a motivating win that re-lit the fire in the players.

Ellsworth’s senior class is made up of Claire Matzek, Julia Boyle, Maggie McHardy, Evie Puhrmann and Olivia Gilbertson.

“They have great intensity, they bring the fire, but they also can bring the calm as well, which is very important,” Fedie said. “They definitely lead by example.”

Prescott seniors Ruby Bernick, Ellise Welter and Amanda Miller have been key on the side of the Cardinals, getting the team into form at the right time as well. The Cardinals made a run all the way to the Sectional final a year ago, so they are no strangers to peaking at the right time.