Vaunted Breese Central up next for Hampshire

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NORMAL -- Less than five minutes after beating Chicago Christian on Friday in the semifinals of the Class 2A State Volleyball Tournament, four Hampshire players and their coach sat at the podium to field questions.

Senior Jena Karkos, sophomore Amy Wehrs, coach Karen Whitehouse, senior Jennifer Kondrat and sophomore Kara Wehrs waited to deliver answers.

Their teammates stood directly behind them, fidgeting and still glowing after performing on center stage at Redbird Arena.

Each one of them had yet to begin to comprehend what they had just accomplished. But, they knew it was something special.

This victory wasn't like any of the previous 36 this season.

Eliminating Chicago Christian was Hampshire's last obstacle before arriving in the state title match. The Whip-Purs got there by dispatching Chicago Christian 25-16, 25-14.

From here, it's a win-win situation. A loss and you're the second-best team in the state. A win and you're better than the rest. Either way, you're forever remembered with a numeral beside your school name and proof back home in the trophy case.

"This is an amazing feeling," Karkos said. "It's hard to put into words right now. We are going to play for the championship and we are excited about that."

For five senior starters, win or lose, this is guaranteed to be the last match of their high school careers.

Talk about the possibility of going out on top.

"This is what every team dreams of and we have that chance," senior Amber Ladwig said. "You always say before the season that you want to win state, but we have a chance of doing it.

"We have one game left."

Breese Central counters with a reputation. The Cougars are making their eight appearance Downstate and third straight. Breese Central finished first in 2005 and second last year.

The Cougars proved their worth Friday as equally as the Whip-Purs did after coming back from a loss in Game 1 to take out previously undefeated Maroa-Forsyth in three games.

"What we've wanted is right in front of us," Whitehouse said. "We want greatness."

They say experience Downstate means everything.

These Whip-Purs might have something to say about that.