Hampshire might have to think big

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Hampshire girls volleyball coach Karen Whitehouse has no other choice but to act like nothing is different when she assembles her team today for the first official day of practice.

Last season the youthful Whips ended the program's most successful season ever with a runner-up finish in Class 2A, immediately prompting thoughts of another championship run at Redbird Arena a year later.

Funny how things change.

In June, the school was unexpectedly told that it would be competing with larger schools in Class 3A this upcoming school year following an Illinois High School Association ruling involving adjusted enrollment figures. Since that time, Hampshire officials have decided to appeal the ruling and will meet with IHSA officials on Aug. 20 in an attempt to stave off the sudden classification switch for another year.

If the decision stands, the path through the postseason is more difficult for Whitehouse's volleyball squad.

"I'm hoping we get to stay in (Class) 2A, to be honest," Whitehouse said. "Obviously we thought we would have a good shot to make it far (in the postseason) again. If we have to go 3A it would definitely be a tougher route. Anything is possible and we'll adjust to whatever the decision is."

Regardless of the ruling, the Whip-Purs are again expected to be a handful for any opponent based on a strong core of returners. Among the leaders will be junior twins Amy and Kara Wehrs, who are both currently being recruited heavily by a number of Division I programs.

"We had a good summer so I'm excited about our season whatever happens," Whitehouse said. "We play bigger schools in the summer leagues so we are familiar with a lot of them. We'll just have to wait and see what happens."

Leavitt, Rockets full of confidence -- Today marks the beginning for another area team that enters the fall season with high hopes -- the Burlington Central Rockets.

Paced by veteran coach Marv Leavitt and two of the area's most talented returners in senior Molly Turk and junior Stephanie Holthus, the Class 3A Rockets could be on the verge of taking another step a year after setting the school record for wins (34-4) and capturing the program's first conference title (Big Northern East) since 1986.

"We will be very strong again this season," said Leavitt, who is entering his 19th season of coaching and his fourth at Central. "I'm looking forward to the preseason. Once practices begin every day should be competitive. We have a lot of good pieces, we just need to see how it will all come together."

Haggenjos' final go-around -- Just because St. Edward senior Kristen Haggenjos already has her post-high school future planned out -- she will be attending Division I Loyola University next year on a volleyball scholarship -- that doesn't mean the Green Wave's top player doesn't want to make amends for a down season by the program's recent standards.

Last year, St. Edward's streak of eight straight regional titles came to an end at the hands of Rockford Christian Life in a regional title match.

"I'm actually very excited about this season," said Haggenjos, who tallied 330 digs and 319 kills for the 15-20 Green Wave. "I know the expectations will be higher than last year. We did not end last year how we wanted to, it was way too soon."

After some convincing, Haggenjos is happy to report senior Katie Yohn will be alongside her one more season. According to Haggenjos, Yohn, who committed to Bradley University on a basketball scholarship over the summer, had tossed around the idea of skipping her final season on the volleyball court to focus solely on basketball.

"I talked her into (playing)," Haggenjos said. "I wasn't going to let her not play this season. I would have never let her live it down."