NU volleyball coach Cook faces tough decisions
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BY TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star
In summing up Saturday's Red/White Scrimmage, head coach John Cook said the top-ranked Huskers "have a lot of work to do."
He could just as well have been talking about his own weekend.
By the time Nebraska reports to practice Monday afternoon, Cook has to determine which players will be on the court and what system the Huskers will be in for Friday's season opener against No. 4 Hawaii.
While the Red won in a sweep, 30-21, 30-27, 30-28, it was hard to say whether the match cleared up those tough decisions or muddled plans.
"I learned some things tonight," Cook said. "I thought our freshmen played really well. They're not intimidated."
Jordan Larson, a freshman competing for playing time at outside hitter, led all Huskers with 12 kills, nine of those coming in the final two games while playing with the Red squad.
She hit .533 over that span while averaging four digs a game.
"I felt like after two-a-days, I still needed to prove myself and show what I can bring to the team," Larson said.
Said Cook: "Jordan is ready to make a statement, I think, and is ready to be on the court. She certainly went after it tonight."
The Red utilized a two-setter system throughout the match with two-year starter Dani Busboom and Michigan State transfer Maggie Griffin at the controls. But Cook singled out the play of freshman Rachel Holloway, who directed the White squad that included a former Husker All-American, the team's volunteer assistant coach and two managers.
"Our blockers had no clue where the ball was going," said Cook, who added that until one setter emerges, the Huskers will likely stick with a two-setter system.
Also complicating matters is the slow progress of middle blocker Tracy Stalls in returning from injury. Stalls sat out Saturday's match and has been ruled out for next weekend's matches in the Volleyball Showcase.
After starting the match at outside hitter, Christina Houghtelling moved into Stalls' spot for games two and three and finished with eight kills and a .412 attack percentage.
Freshman middle blocker Amanda Gates had seven kills in an impressive showing for the White squad.
With the program's 1995 national champions and coach Terry Pettit among a crowd of 3,496, the Huskers set off on what they hope will be another title season.
This year's team has even adopted the same motto as their 1995 counterparts: "One goal. One team. One champion."
That could be tested on Monday when Cook has to settle on a lineup for opening day. But senior Melissa Elmer stressed that the entire season must be viewed as a learning process.
Saturday was just the first step.
"This was good experience tonight, but it's a lot different when you're out there against Hawaii or Stanford," she said. "This weekend will help a lot. It'll give us a good perspective on what a good lineup is going to be."
Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7439 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.
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