Coming into the season, Elizabeth King knew she would be in Hampshire’s starting lineup.

Did she expect to have a performance like this, though?

“No, not at all,” King said.

The sophomore outside hitter responded Thursday night with a match-high 12 kills for the Whip-Purs in a 25-16, 24-26, 25-11 Fox Valley Conference victory over Jacobs.

“She’s coming in and stepping up definitely, especially at the age she’s at being a sophomore,” Hampshire coach Rejhan Vunic said. “She’s definitely come in and fit right in.

“It’s also nice to have the other pieces with her. It’s opening everything else up.”

Hampshire is looking to replace a lot of offensive production after Gabi Peter’s graduation. Peter, who is now at Illinois-Chicago, led the Whip-Purs in kills the past three years.

King put herself in position to be a big part of that process Thursday.

“Oh, my gosh, it was amazing,” King said. “My confidence is super high. That was so much fun.”

Jacobs (1-1, 1-1) jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first game, but Hampshire (2-0, 2-0) rallied on the strength of its block, in particular Hailey Homola and Katelyn Petterson.

The Whip-Purs outscored Jacobs 25-9 after that opening stretch. Homola had two kills and three blocks in the first game. Petterson added three kills and a block.

“It’s a young group, but a big block and good skills,” Vunic said. “We have some big hitters as well.”

Jacobs coach Michael Depa said the Hampshire’s block changed the match.

“They came out and shut down our hitters a lot in that first game and they turned it around,” Depa said. “That rotation they had was stacked. We couldn’t get around it.

“We were trying to make the adjustment of rolling over the block. We had it a couple times in the second game which allowed us to take the second game.”

Jacobs was down 23-20 in the second game but came back for the win. A kill by senior setter Meghan Retzler was the big key.

“Making those in-game adjustments, we’re all learning — it’s early in the season,” Depa said. “I like the energy that we’re bringing, and we’re going to keep improving every game.

“That’s what I love about them. They don’t have quit in them. They’re always going to bring that energy no matter what the score is.”

Alicia Pierre led Jacobs with three kills, three aces and a block.

King had five kills and an ace with her lethal jump serve, however, as Hampshire rolled in the third game. She produced nine points with her serve in the match.

“Most teams underestimate the skills that she’s got,” Vunic said. “Her energy with that big kill sparks us and brings our team a lot of energy.

“Everyone contributed. Without the other five on the court she would not be able to do her own thing. I’m happy to have her.”

King had all 12 of her kills in the final two games to go with a block and an ace. She credited returning setter Jorah Rutter, her club teammate at Top Flight, for keeping her involved in the match.

“Jorah is literally the best setter ever,” King said. “Our connection is through the roof.”

Hampshire finished last in the conference last season but ended up as regional champions.

“You could see at the end of last year they were making their way up,” Depa said.

Vunic hopes the Whip-Purs can take that next step this season.

“I feel like a lot of people are underestimating us,” Vunic said. “They’re probably coming in here thinking we’ll be an easy game just from finishing last. We have a lot to prove.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.