When Lily Ingve made the varsity for this year, despite Hampshire returning an established core coming off a successful season, she wondered how things would go.
The freshman right-side hitter had to ask a question — how am I going to fit in?
“I was really scared about what I was getting into this year,” Ingve said of joining an established group for the Whip-Purs. “I was worried if I was just going to be on the bench.”
But coach Omar Cortez had a plan for Lily and her sister, Ella, a sophomore setter. The pair have become invaluable contributors for Hampshire and made some big plays Thursday night.
As a matter of fact, Lilly Ingve finished with five kills and came through with a crucial block late in the second game of a 25-21, 25-22 Fox Valley Conference victory at Jacobs.
Illinois-Chicago commit Elizabeth King, who has been Lily Ingve’s mentor, ended up leading Hampshire (21-4, 10-0) with six kills and four aces. Katelynn Petterson added three kills.
Maddie Mitchell paced Jacobs (9-9, 5-5) with six kills. Hailie Barton followed with five.
Cortez’s rationale for bringing up Lily Ingve was simple. Aside from the fact she could be a threat at the net, getting a chance to play alongside King gives her a leg up for the future as well.
“I just felt that getting her behind some good leaders with this class of seniors that I have would be the best group for her to get experience from,” Cortez said. “They’re a great support system for her. They keep her light on her toes when she’s hard on herself.
“It’s a great group of leaders, and that’s what I love about it.”
For her part, playing with King is one of the biggest benefits.
“Liz and I have been really close since we were in kindergarten,” Ingve said. “When I found out I made the team, we both started crying because it was always our dream to be on the same team.
“Every time she’s on the court I see a smile, even if we’re losing. I just feel so much more confident on the court with her.”
Jacobs didn’t make things easy on the Whip-Purs, though. The Golden Eagles led 13-9 in the first game before Hampshire rallied behind a kill and a block from King. Ingve also had a kill down the stretch.
The comeback was even bigger in the second game as Jacobs jumped out to a 19-11 lead. A kill from Ingve started an eight-point burst that forced a 19-19 tie. Her dramatic block tied it at 20-20.
King closed it out, flooring three aces with her lethal jump serve to finish off the match.
“We came out with energy,” Jacobs coach Michael Depa said. “Since the last time we played them, we’re a different looking team. Now it’s closing out games and putting the ball away when we need to.”
The Ingve sisters had never played on the same team before either, adding another fun dynamic to the mix.
“Very weird but I love it,” Ella said. “It’s so nice because now I know that we’ll be together for the next three years. It will be really good to connect like that.”
Cortez had a plan all along. He could use Lily up front when the rotation for starting setter and team captain Kylie Lambert came up. Ella could slide in to handle setting duties at the same time.
With Lily Ingve developing into a key contributor up front, Cortez sees even more in the future.
“She’s a big presence on the right side,” Cortez said. “Next year she’ll be a big presence for us on the outside. I’m looking for her to play some outside next year primarily.”
Lily Ingve, for one, has embraced the challenge.
“I have grown so much since the start of the season,” she said.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
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