Kondrat, Whips prove sleep overrated when you're at state

NORMAL - Not even the Doubletree Hotel's deep, fluffy pillows and high thread counts could lull Hampshire libero Jennifer Kondrat to sleep Thursday night.

You'd think a nearly three-hour bus ride from Hampshire to Normal, a get-your-bearings practice at Redbird Arena that lasted over an hour and, later, a college volleyball match between Illinois State and Indiana State would fatigue a high school senior.

Not Kondrat.

"I had the worst night's sleep," said the four-year varsity performer. "I just couldn't get comfortable. I was nervous. I was just hoping we'd play well and play the best that we can."

Had Kondrat known she and the rest of the Whip-Purs would cruise into today's Class 2A state final match via a 25-16, 25-14 semifinal victory over Chicago Christian, she might have counted a few less sheep and caught a few more winks.

But after taking Game 1 from the Knights in relatively easy fashion, the Whips started acting like themselves again -- like the confident but humble, carefree high school girls who have relished every step they've taken up the Illinois volleyball ladder during this postseason.

The Hampshire girls were arm-to-arm in their on-court huddle prior to Game 2 when dance music came blasting through the public address system. Clearly slaves to the rhythm, the Whips couldn't resist shaking their hips.

"The music and the big crowd really gets us going," said senior Jackie Clai, smiling as she recalled yet another precious new memory. "I think dancing just kind of loosened us up and got us ready to go out and kill them."

These girls have already guaranteed that today's 6 p.m. welcome-home reception at Hampshire High School will feature either a first- or second-place trophy hoisted high above their heads, hardware earned by a starting lineup that has taken the floor intact for 80 straight matches over the last two seasons.

Win or lose, that streak comes to an end today.

"It's sad in a way because I'm a senior," said middle blocker Amber Ladwig, "but this is the championship match -- it's our big shot, so this feels really good."

If given the opportunity, every senior in every sport would choose to go out on top by winning the state title. Ladwig and fellow seniors Clai, Kondrat, outside hitter Jena Karkos and right side Kim Kartheiser have the rare opportunity to finish their final high school match in the win column.

"If we come home tomorrow with a first-place trophy? Oh my gosh, I'm getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it," said Kondrat, who showed her forearms as proof. "I'm pretty excited."

The seniors have a chance to go out winners with the help of two very talented sophomores: setter Kara Wehrs and twin sister Amy Wehrs, a hard-hitting outside hitter who does to volleyballs what jackhammers do to asphalt.

"We're all so close, not just this team but everyone in the entire school," Amy said after the supersectional victory over Westmont on Monday. "It's just so cool to be able to do this together. It would be so exciting to help the seniors go out on top."

Exciting enough that it might come at the cost of a good night's sleep on championship eve?

"It'll be hard to go to sleep tonight, but we'll get to sleep eventually," Amy added. "And it'll be a great sleep."