North St. Paul’s Holly Ellwanger put pressure on Hill-Murray with a impressive hitting and serving performance less than 24 hours after doctors thought the Polars' senior setter was suffering from too much pressure in her lower abdomen.

Ellwanger spent Tuesday in the hospital with an apparent case of appendicitis, jeopardizing her final regular-season home match in front of the Polars' fans.

“I was really scared I wasn’t going to play,” Ellwanger said. She even tweeted, “It might destroy me if I can’t play tomorrow. #SeniorNight #LastHillGame.”

Doctors determined she wasn’t suffering from appendicitis and released Ellwanger from the hospital, allowing the senior to play against the Pioneers.

Ellwanger turned the near tragedy into a terrific individual performance as she finished the night with six kills and one ace, helping lead North St. Paul to a 25-12, 25-14, 21-25, 25-21 victory over rival Hill Murray in a Metro East Conference match Wednesday at North St. Paul High School.

The Polars took a commanding lead in the first set thanks to Ellwanger, who had a 10-point serving run.

North St. Paul coach Steve Anderson said he wasn’t planning on his setter playing against Hill-Murray.

“But she came in today and told me she’s playing and I was like, ‘OK,” Anderson said.

Anderson might have been astonished by Ellwanger’s quick return to health but not by her desire to do whatever is necessary to help the Polars succeed, including broadening her skill set.

This is the setter’s first year hitting and she’s quickly transformed into an all-around player, Anderson said.

“She just give us another weapon in the front row to hit and can put some balls away,” he added. “She does it all. We’re lucky to have her.”

Ellwanger likes the change despite initially being uncomfortable. 

“It’s a weird transition,” she said. “But I love Megan (Rubbelke) as my setter and have gotten really close to her this year. It’s a new thing. I really like it.”

Ellwanger is heading to Nebraska to play volleyball at Wayne State College next fall. The setter found the school to be a perfect fit, liking everything from the town to the volleyball program.

Doctors never discovered what ailed Ellwanger and caused her hospitalization. The senior, however, isn’t dwelling on the past. She’s focused on the postseason and a possible Polars’ run to the state tournament.

“We want to move on to bigger and better things,” Ellwanger said.

Senior outside hitter Nevena Vukomanovich and senior setter Holly Ellwanger combined for nearly 20 kills, helping lead North St. Paul to a 25-12, 25-14, 21-25, 25-21 victory over rival Hill Murray in a Metro East Conference match Wednesday at North St. Paul High School.

Vukomanovich, an All-Conference selection, finished with 13 kills and Ellwanger had six kills and one ace for North St. Paul, No. 5 in the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association's Class 3A poll. Ellwanger put the Polars in a great position in the first set with a 10-point serving run. 

Junior setter Hannah Angeli had nine kills and one ace while Sami Schneider had six kills and one block assist for the Pioneers. 

North St. Paul improved to 9-0 in conference play with the victory and has one league match remaining. 

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