Senior senior Kylie Lambert knows she’s in an enviable position for Hampshire.
As a player who runs the show, having a host of talented attackers to set up is a luxury. But that’s exactly what the 5-foot-7 Lambert faces when she gets the pass and looks at her hitters.
“Even saying the word amazing is an understatement,” she said. “There’s talent everywhere.
“It makes my job look kind of easy because I can get pretty much anyone the ball and they’re going to find a way to put it down.”
Still, Lambert put all of her skills on display Tuesday night in a 25-18, 25-9 Fox Valley Conference victory over Burlington Central. She served four aces and also converted two dump kills.
Elizabeth King and Keira Skerke each came through with five kills to pace Hampshire (8-3, 5-0). Ella Ingve served three aces, while Lily Ingve and Anna Schiltz tallied three kills apiece.
Hampshire’s Kylie Lambert (22) celebrates after match point against Burlington Central during a Fox Valley Conference match in Hampshire on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
Haidyn Schatz led both teams with seven kills for Burlington Central (3-3, 2-3).
A testament to the talent Hampshire possesses is the fact that Lambert, who is committed to NCAA Division II Arkansas Tech, only plays the back three rotations this season.
Much like she did with Jorah Rutter last season, splitting time at setter, Lambert is sharing duties with Ella Ingve, a sophomore who also helps the Whip-Purs in the blocking game up front.
However, make no mistake about it — Lambert makes Hampshire go.
Hampshire’s Kylie Lambert (22) passes the ball against Burlington Central during a Fox Valley Conference match in Hampshire on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
“She’s a good maestro out there with this band,” Hampshire coach Omar Cortez said. “She knows how to control this offense. She’s very aggressive in her game. She likes to get her kills, too.
“If you can get a setter that’s offensive-minded and can go in there and keep defenses on their toes, it opens up a lot for our offense to do a lot more.”
There’s more to Lambert’s keen ability to dump sets over the net when the other team least expects it, though.
Sure, getting a quick point and frustrating the other team is part of it, but there’s a method to her approach.
Burlington Central’s Haidyn Schatz (2) makes a defensive play against Hampshire during a Fox Valley Conference match in Hampshire on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
“I think it’s more paying attention to their block,” Lambert said. “If I see they’re moving and caught off guard, I’m going to put it over in two. It’s one thing to pay attention to the tempo and speed of my offense, but paying attention to their team is the other half of what my job is.
“I have to set my hitters up with one-on-one chances.”
The Rockets hung around in the first game until a late run put it away for the Whip-Purs, who dominated the second game. It left Burlington Central coach Julia Smagacz seeking answers.
“So much experience, so many veterans,” Smagacz said of Hampshire. “They know how to get out of this sort of thing. We have a bunch of people new to varsity, and they’re very good.
“We just have to find our competitiveness, and we haven’t quite found it yet.”
Hampshire’s Kylie Lambert (22) reacts in a timeout against Burlington Central during a Fox Valley Conference match in Hampshire on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
Lambert said she and Rutter were close last season but she’s more than happy to play Rutter’s role with this season’s team.
“I absolutely adore Ella and she’s going to be the next me when I leave,” Lambert said. “She already told me at the start of the season, ‘I’m so excited to learn from you.’
“She’s phenomenal and I know she’s going to grow into a great player. I think leading her off on the best foot forward is going to be one of my best accomplishments.”
They’re both getting the opportunity to run this show, and Lambert couldn’t be more appreciative.
“I feel like the trust all of us girls have with each other is something that makes it even better,” Lambert said. “It’s amazing, nothing short of it, to have this type of team.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
