Hampshire volleyball team returns to fanfare

Hampshire's girls volleyball team got a winner's reception Saturday night.

It didn't matter that the Whip-Purs came up a bit short in their state Class 2A final match at Redbird Arena in Normal. To an enthusiastic crowd of about 100 greeting the team bus, they were champions.

Fire engines escorted the bus the final 2 miles to the high school and team members were cheered loudly as they disembarked one by one.

"I've never experienced anything like it," said head coach Karen Whitehouse. "The girls were just so excited on the bus when they saw what was welcoming them home."

More Coverage Stories Hampshire volleyball team finishes second in state [11/10/07]

This marked the first time a Hampshire volleyball team had advanced downstate but athletic director Dave Hicks wasn't surprised by the team's success.

"When I first saw them practice, I knew right away how good they were," he said. He seemed to exaggerate only slightly when he thought that "anything less than state is going to be a disappointment."

Co-captain Jena Karkos said the experience was still sinking in.

"It's still unreal that we even went downstate," she said. "When we were there, it felt like a dream. Everyone dreams about that. That's the thing that everyone wants.

"From the beginning of the season we had team goals and one was to go downstate. Even though we didn't win state, we made history and you can't be ashamed of that. It was such a great game and everything."

After defeating Chicago Christian in Friday's semifinals, the Whip-Purs fell to Breese Central in three games in Saturday's title match.

Hampshire finished the season with a 38-3 record.