NU volleyball sweeps Kentucky
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BY TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star
Sure, there were the two NCAA volleyball tournament matches where she played extensively and that time last fall when she tried her hand at libero. But as a whole, Tara Mueller’s freshman season was more a learning process than any wide-eyed joy ride.
What Mueller learned was that to be the player that Nebraska will need this fall, she would need to concentrate on being herself.
“I need to play how I play,” Mueller said. “At times, I’ve gotten caught up in what my teammates are thinking and what my coaches are thinking.
“In high school and club, I was always the go-to player and I had that spark. That’s what I want to be here.”
None other than Nebraska’s current go-to player, senior All-American Jordan Larson, says Mueller is more than capable of growing into that role.
Larson led Nebraska with 17 kills as the Huskers swept Kentucky in Saturday’s spring exhibition match. Mueller added 16 kills on only 36 swings, and were it not for nine errors, the 6-foot sophomore outside hitter would have matched Larson in efficiency.
Mueller added 11 digs.
“She can pass, she can set, she can dig, she can serve and she can hit,” Larson said. “There were a couple plays where she could have been a little smarter, but that comes with experience.”
For the 2,792 fans that turned out at the NU Coliseum, Saturday’s match was a first glimpse into what might be in store for the Huskers next season. Nebraska swept all four sets from the more-experienced Wildcats, winning by scores of 31-29, 25-18, 25-20 and 25-14.
Kori Cooper, Amanda Gates and Brooke Delano all had solid nights offensively for NU, and Lindsey Licht, despite struggling at times attacking, had a hand in eight blocks for the Huskers.
“I saw a lot of nerves, which we were expecting, but I also think we did some really good things,” Nebraska coach John Cook said. “I thought our passing was really good for the spring. The end of the first game was the only time I thought we really broke down.”
Nebraska hit .316, and without the 15 swings that missed the court, the Huskers would have posted a sizzling number in what surely was Maggie Griffin’s final match as NU’s setter.
Griffin, just as she did after starting on Senior Night last fall, shed tears as she waved to the crowd after Saturday’s match ended.
Looking ahead to next fall, Griffin said she has a good feeling about what her former team can accomplish. Larson, the team’s leader, agreed, especially after seeing how her teammates stepped up and played with more passion.
Said Cook: “We’ve got to make them believe they can be a great team. It’s not going to happen overnight, but this team has a chance to grow into something special.”
Briefly
Former Husker Brooke Bartek traveled with the Wildcats but did not play. The former Lincoln Northeast standout underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn labrum. Kentucky coach Craig Skinner said he hopes that Bartek will be ready to go for the start of the fall season.
Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7320 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.
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