Barbs run out of gas

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DeKalb’s Emily Bemis (front) celebrates after one of her kills against Kaneland’s Katy Dudzinski (right) in the first game of a Class 3A Burlington Central Regional semifinal match Thursday night in Burlington. (Rob Winner – rwinner@daily-chronicle.com )

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BURLINGTON – All night, the DeKalb volleyball team fought.

It started at 5:30 p.m. with a win against Kaneland and it kept up until nearly 10 p.m. against Hampshire.

But in their fifth game of the night – a deciding Game 3 against top-seeded Hampshire – the Barbs didn't have enough as they lost, 24-26, 25-16, 27-25, to the Whip-Purs in the semifinals of the Class 3A Burlington Central Regional.

"They have learned a lot about fighting back," DeKalb coach Stephanie Gooden said. "At the start of the season, if we were down we would pull back and not really fight through it.

"As of late, we've been down late and we've come back to tie it or won."

That effort was never more evident then the first game against Hampshire (33-4). The Barbs fell down 24-22 but won four consecutive points to take the lead.

Then they were playing from behind much of Game 3 before taking a late lead or tying it at least four times.

Jessica Schafer, Emily Bemis and Courtney Thomas all made great plays at the net during that time to keep the Barbs alive.

"We improved so much and that is a credit to our kids," Gooden said.

The Barbs' one hiccup of the night, after beating Kaneland, 25-20, 25-25, was Game 2 of the Hampshire match. At that point, Gooden said her team was just exhausted.

"To play two matches is one night is a hard draw," Gooden said. "All five teams are amazing teams and all five could win a regional. I think we got a bad draw.

"I think playing two matches caught up to us in Game 2 and we got a little tired mentally."

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