Whips not ready to stop yet

BYRON -- They weren't the typical postgame hugs so often shared between happy, victorious volleyball teammates.

No, the hugs the Hampshire girls shared after sweeping Oregon 25-19, 25-18 to win the school's first sectional title in that sport were of the oh-my-gosh-I-can't-breathe-because-you're-squeezing-the-life-out-of-me variety.

And nobody wanted to let go.

"I'm really shocked," said Hampshire senior libero Jennifer Kondrat. "I can't believe we're the first ones to do it ... Little Hampshire!"

Indeed, "Little Hampshire" came up big Thursday night with sweeps of over-matched Forreston (25-11, 25-15) and feisty Oregon in the Class 2A Byron sectional.

And though the school's first girls volleyball sectional title comes in the first season of the four-class system, in no way was this Hampshire team able to make history simply because of the new format. These Whip-Purs sport an impressive 35-3 record after Thursday's victories and would have been heavy favorites to win a Class A sectional title under last year's playoff system.

In fact, the Whips nearly pulled off that feat last season, losing a heartbreaking, three-game sectional final on their home court to Annie Thomas and powerful Harvard.

It was a loss that made the goal for 2007 crystal clear.

"We've been preparing for this since Day 1," said sophomore setter Kara Wehrs. "Our goal has always been to win the first sectional in Hampshire history and make it downstate. So, getting here and actually winning it felt really great."

Like most championships this one was won as a team. Kondrat received serves masterfully, allowing setter Kara Wehrs her pick of hitters. Her hitters, in turn, delivered. Senior Jena Karkos and Kara's twin sister Amy Wehrs proved devastating all night.

Right side Kim Kartheiser was all over the court and middles Amber Ladwig and Jaclin Clai rudely put away any wayward passes that floated their way.

"It's the perfect dream for your senior year," said Ladwig, one of five senior starters. "We're really close. I think that helps us win a lot. We're like sisters, basically."

One of only eight teams still alive in Class 2A and one of only 32 still playing volleyball in Illinois, the Whips head home to the Purple Palace for a supersectional date with Westmont. Think it'll be loud in that gym?

"Our whole town will probably be there cheering us on, so we'll have everyone's support," Karkos said. "But it's amazing how far we've come. Even if we don't win that game we know we've made history at our school by winning sectionals."

True, but this team has a very good chance to reach the Class 2A Final Four in Normal next Friday, in the opinion of one opposing coach.

"I think they can go as far as they want to. They're a good team," said Oregon coach Christy Sitze, who had scouted Westmont. "I actually think this was probably a stronger match than you'll see Monday."

It should be an electric atmosphere, one in which more history could be written.

"It's going to be awesome," Kondrat said. "I have a really good feeling about this."

If so, Monday could mean another round of circulation-stifling hugs.