Sophomore outside hitter Sidney Hamaker is the future for Oswego.
But there also is the present, and when coach Julie Zeck watches the 6-foot-2 Hamaker play, she runs out of superlatives to describe what she already is seeing.
“Her potential is crazy,” Zeck said. “I don’t even know where I would say the limit is because I don’t think there is one. She keeps improving every game.”
Hamaker was at it again Thursday night in a 25-17, 25-22 Southwest Prairie Conference victory at West Aurora. She had nine kills and five aces to lead the Panthers.
Zeck continues to see Hamaker evolve from a one-dimensional freshman to a versatile attacker.
“It was one shot and one shot only and that was it,” Zeck said of last season. “It was the same kills.
“Now, she’s seeing the other side of the court much better and putting the ball where the gap is or finding a target and she goes for it. Her strength is unbelievable.”
After moving to the outside this season, Hamaker said she does see a difference.
“Going to the outside is a big responsibility and I had to grow through that, seeing everything,” Hamaker said. “I do notice when they set the block up.
“It’s really about hitting your shots and knowing where they’re not.”
After winning Thursday’s first game, Oswego (18-13, 5-4) jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the second game. At the end of first and the start to the second, Hamaker served five aces.
“I take a lot of pride in my serving,” Hamaker said. “We practice that a lot. We do a lot of serving. I know it’s good.”
Behind the serving of junior libero Brooke Wisniewski, West Aurora (8-17, 3-6) got back into the game, however. She served three aces as part of a 9-1 burst to force a 10-10 tie.
“She can put it anywhere I ask her to,” West Aurora coach Brandon Vicory said. “That’s always nice to have. It doesn’t matter if it’s 12U all the way up to Olympic volleyball, if you can serve tough, you can compete.”
Zeck called a timeout to refocus her team.
“They started that second game a little arrogant,” Zeck said of her Panthers. “They got a little too big for their britches, so to speak. It was time to focus. Each of you do your job.”
Hamaker said the adjustment was simple.
“It was just about getting your feet to the ball,” she said. “Getting a pass so we can set up our hitters.”
Once that was settled, the Panthers started to put it back together. Hamaker’s kill created a 22-22 tie, and Oswego didn’t allow another point. Kennedy Hugunin’s kill ended the match.
Even in the back row, Hamaker has become a target for sophomore setter Ava Flanigan.
“She definitely finds Sidney on the court,” Zeck said of Flanigan. “She finds her a lot, but when we’re in a clutch situation, a lot of times she’s going to be our go-to.
“Whether she’s in the front row or the back row, she’s going to put it away for us.”
Hamaker enjoys getting those chances.
“I love hitting back row,” Hamaker said. “It’s just another option, so when there are only two attackers in the front, no one really expects it.”
Oswego earned the 10th seed in the Class 4A Plainfield North Sectional. The Panthers open postseason play on Tuesday, Oct. 25 against fifth-seeded Plainfield North at the Naperville North Regional.
They hope Thursday’s win can help get things going in the right direction.
“We’ve been struggling a little bit,” Hamaker said. “The way we played (Thursday) was amazing. I feel really good about the playoffs right now.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.