NU volleyball grooming young players to step up
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BY TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star
For Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook, progress this spring will be measured in how his younger players settle into their new roles.
“There’s a big difference from being in a practice and not having expectations and being in a practice and having expectations on you to perform at a certain level,” Cook said Friday.
“We see players all the time who light it up over on the white side, but when they come to the red, they all of the sudden seem like they can’t play,” he added. “It’s a process for younger players to learn to manage that.”
After two weeks of spring practice, Cook said that there has been good competition at middle blockers with Brooke Delano, a redshirt last season, challenging the more experienced Kori Cooper and Amanda Gates during workouts.
Cook said Rachel Schwartz and Kayla Banwarth are competing for the libero spot, and that he’s challenging Tara Mueller and Lindsey Licht in every way that he can this spring.
For Nebraska to remain a national title threat, the Huskers will need Licht to be a consistent point producer with her attack and block, Cook said. Mueller is playing as the “L1” this spring, meaning the Arizona native will carry the biggest share of the load, often swinging against a double block.
Nebraska’s most experienced returner, senior Jordan Larson, has looked “awesome,” Cook said, playing the other outside hitter spot.
“Right now, we’re looking for leadership from Jordan,” Cook said. “She doesn’t need to be swinging a million times this spring, but what she does need to do is mentor Tara.
“She’s doing a tremendous job with that.”
Spring doubleheader
Nebraska is one of eight schools participating in the College Volleyball Challenge today in Denver. The Huskers will play two exhibition matches, facing New Mexico at 10:30 a.m. and Colorado State at noon.
Matches will be limited to an hour, with fewer restrictions on lineups, substitutions and rotations.
“It allows us an opportunity to evaluate in game conditions, and for the teams, it is some great competition in a fun atmosphere,” said NU assistant Lizzy Stemke.
Stemke, along with new NU assistant Erik Sullivan, will coach the team this weekend, allowing Cook to focus on recruiting.
First to 25 wins
The scoring changes in store for women’s volleyball next fall will place a greater emphasis on preparation, Cook said.
It’s expected that games will be played to 25 points instead of 30, in essence turning a distance race into a sprint.
“Everything’s going to happen faster,” Cook said. “If you make an error, it’s magnified more. And you better not take too long to figure out what somebody else is doing to hurt you.”
Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7320 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.
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