Hampshire Dominates Prairie Ridge, Secures Perfect Start with Sweep

UPDATE: Hampshire Volleyball continues its perfect season, decisively sweeping Prairie Ridge with scores of 26-24 and 25-18 on July 11, 2023. The Whip-Purs, fresh off a 29-8 season and a Class 4A regional championship, made a powerful statement against last year’s 3A third-place finishers.

Leading the charge was Illinois-Chicago commit Elizabeth King, who delivered 10 kills, an ace, and a block. “I’m excited. This game made a big statement,” King declared after the match, highlighting her team’s readiness to face the pressure of being a top contender.

Hampshire, now boasting a record of 4-0 and 3-0 in the Fox Valley Conference (FVC), showed remarkable improvement, having tied for fourth place last season. In contrast, Prairie Ridge fell to 3-1 and suffered its first setback of the season. This match marks a significant turnaround for Hampshire, which aims to prove last season’s success was no fluke.

Coach Omar Cortez emphasized the need for continued focus, stating, “As a coach, I’m never happy. We’ve got to keep pushing.” He believes this squad is capable of achieving more than last year’s impressive run. “They’re out to prove they can do a lot better than last year,” he added.

The Whip-Purs displayed exceptional skill, recording only one service error throughout the match. Senior Katelyn Petterson contributed significantly with three of the team’s five aces, including the decisive match-winner. “To serve that and bring it home, it felt great,” Petterson said, reflecting on her performance.

The first set was a nail-biter, with both teams tied 12 times. Hampshire managed to hold off a late charge from Prairie Ridge, which saw sophomore Lauren Bruce and Missouri commit Maizy Agnello rallying with key points. However, Hampshire clinched the set with two crucial points, sealing it with a kill from King.

In the second set, Prairie Ridge fought back but ultimately fell short. After trailing by as much as 7 points, they narrowed the gap to 23-17 before Hampshire called a timeout. The Whip-Purs regained control, closing the match with Petterson’s ace.

Prairie Ridge’s first-year coach Leah Groat praised her team’s resilience. “I was extremely proud of our girls for chipping away,” she noted, acknowledging the strong performance of seniors Abby Smith and Addi Smith, as well as Bruce’s contributions.

Defensively, Hampshire’s junior libero Peyton Wurtz stood out with 12 digs, showcasing the team’s depth and determination. “She took a couple of hard-driven balls,” Cortez remarked on Wurtz’s performance, underlining the intensity of the match.

With this victory, Hampshire not only maintains its perfect record but also sends a clear message to the rest of the conference. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Whip-Purs as they seek to build on their momentum and aim for greater heights.

As their journey continues, fans can expect more thrilling matches ahead. Stay tuned for updates on Hampshire’s quest for dominance in the FVC.