Pius X setter Cook finally among oldest on the team
Lauren Cook has experienced plenty on the volleyball court.
A four-year starting setter for Lincoln Pius X. A two-time, first-team Super-Stater and honorary captain. Named national player of the year for the class of 2009 by PrepVolleyball.com. Tournament MVP at the USA Volleyball Junior Olympic Nationals in 2007.
Still, there will be something new for the UCLA recruit and daughter of Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook when the two-time defending Class B state champion Thunderbolts open the season Friday at the Beatrice Invitational.
She’ll be one of the oldest players on the floor for the Bolts.
Lauren Cook has always been the youngest on almost every team she’s played for. She’s played up an age division every year in club ball, including last winter and spring when she was with the Nebraska Volleyball Academy’s 18s squad.
Even as a junior last season when the Bolts were 35-4, the Pius X cast around her was predominately seniors, like outside hitter Leigh Connot (an all-stater), middle blockers Mollie Lacy (all-stater) and Kelli Holtmeier and right-side attacker Hannah Zimmerman.
“This is going to be way different for me,’’ Cook said. “But I like change, it’s good. It adds excitement. I’ve never played my age before, so I’m looking forward to the expectation of stepping up and being the leader.”
Pius X started the past two seasons ranked No. 1, so beginning No. 3 behind Northwest and Omaha Gross is different as well. While Cook says she likes the pressure of No. 1 shifted to other schools, the team goals have not changed from the past two years.
This weekend’s tournament at Beatrice will tell Pius X coach Jake Moore and his team where they stand, with No. 1 Northwest, No. 4 Aurora and No. 6 Omaha Skutt also in the field.
“We still have a target because we’re Pius and we’ve won state the last two years,” Cook said. “We need to see good teams right away to get a feel for where we’re at and what areas we need to improve.”
The 5-foot-8 Cook broke her Class B record for assists last season with 1,341. But she did more than set, as some well-time, well-placed dump shots produced 165 kills (.435 hitting efficiency) and her jump-float serve accounted for a team-high 51 aces.
Remarkably, Moore says Cook is much improved over a year ago.
“People will be surprised that Lauren is even better than last year,” said Moore, who is entering his 19th season at Pius X and has a 490-164 career record. “She’s stronger, more athletic and she’s doing a lot better finding hitters in one-on-one situations.”
Cook’s elite setting skills should make it easier for a new group of attackers to settle in to Pius X‘s quick attack.
A strong state tournament performance, followed by a successful club season, has raised 5-8 senior outside hitter Natalie Braun’s stock. Braun, who spent most of last year as a libero nursing a shoulder injury, had 130 kills as a junior. Most of those came at the district and state tournaments.
Braun is being recruited by Creighton as a libero and Furman as an outside hitter.
“When Natalie unleashes, she’s dangerous,” Cook said of Braun. “She’s given out a few bloody noises in practice, she’s hitting that hard. And she’s just not hitting outside, I’m setting her at every position on the net.’’
Joining Braun on the outside is 5-10 senior Kayla Gaden, who started opposite Connot while Braun was injured, smashed 141 kills to go with 41 ace serves and 166 digs. Pius X’s passing and defense are also bolstered by the return 5-3 senior libero Grace Morin, a part-time starter last season.
The two middle blockers and right-side hitter will come from the trio of senior Liz Bachman (5-9), senior Erica Effken (5-11) and junior Allie Falter (6-1). All three have impressed Braun during preseason practices.
“Our middles are coming along really well,’’ Braun said. “We’re still working out some kinks in our serve receive, but our defense is strong. Everyone goes to the floor and we have fast girls who can run down balls. If we can get the ball to Lauren (Cook), everything should fall into place for us.’’
Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com.
A four-year starting setter for Lincoln Pius X. A two-time, first-team Super-Stater and honorary captain. Named national player of the year for the class of 2009 by PrepVolleyball.com. Tournament MVP at the USA Volleyball Junior Olympic Nationals in 2007.
Still, there will be something new for the UCLA recruit and daughter of Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook when the two-time defending Class B state champion Thunderbolts open the season Friday at the Beatrice Invitational.
She’ll be one of the oldest players on the floor for the Bolts.
Lauren Cook has always been the youngest on almost every team she’s played for. She’s played up an age division every year in club ball, including last winter and spring when she was with the Nebraska Volleyball Academy’s 18s squad.
Even as a junior last season when the Bolts were 35-4, the Pius X cast around her was predominately seniors, like outside hitter Leigh Connot (an all-stater), middle blockers Mollie Lacy (all-stater) and Kelli Holtmeier and right-side attacker Hannah Zimmerman.
“This is going to be way different for me,’’ Cook said. “But I like change, it’s good. It adds excitement. I’ve never played my age before, so I’m looking forward to the expectation of stepping up and being the leader.”
Pius X started the past two seasons ranked No. 1, so beginning No. 3 behind Northwest and Omaha Gross is different as well. While Cook says she likes the pressure of No. 1 shifted to other schools, the team goals have not changed from the past two years.
This weekend’s tournament at Beatrice will tell Pius X coach Jake Moore and his team where they stand, with No. 1 Northwest, No. 4 Aurora and No. 6 Omaha Skutt also in the field.
“We still have a target because we’re Pius and we’ve won state the last two years,” Cook said. “We need to see good teams right away to get a feel for where we’re at and what areas we need to improve.”
The 5-foot-8 Cook broke her Class B record for assists last season with 1,341. But she did more than set, as some well-time, well-placed dump shots produced 165 kills (.435 hitting efficiency) and her jump-float serve accounted for a team-high 51 aces.
Remarkably, Moore says Cook is much improved over a year ago.
“People will be surprised that Lauren is even better than last year,” said Moore, who is entering his 19th season at Pius X and has a 490-164 career record. “She’s stronger, more athletic and she’s doing a lot better finding hitters in one-on-one situations.”
Cook’s elite setting skills should make it easier for a new group of attackers to settle in to Pius X‘s quick attack.
A strong state tournament performance, followed by a successful club season, has raised 5-8 senior outside hitter Natalie Braun’s stock. Braun, who spent most of last year as a libero nursing a shoulder injury, had 130 kills as a junior. Most of those came at the district and state tournaments.
Braun is being recruited by Creighton as a libero and Furman as an outside hitter.
“When Natalie unleashes, she’s dangerous,” Cook said of Braun. “She’s given out a few bloody noises in practice, she’s hitting that hard. And she’s just not hitting outside, I’m setting her at every position on the net.’’
Joining Braun on the outside is 5-10 senior Kayla Gaden, who started opposite Connot while Braun was injured, smashed 141 kills to go with 41 ace serves and 166 digs. Pius X’s passing and defense are also bolstered by the return 5-3 senior libero Grace Morin, a part-time starter last season.
The two middle blockers and right-side hitter will come from the trio of senior Liz Bachman (5-9), senior Erica Effken (5-11) and junior Allie Falter (6-1). All three have impressed Braun during preseason practices.
“Our middles are coming along really well,’’ Braun said. “We’re still working out some kinks in our serve receive, but our defense is strong. Everyone goes to the floor and we have fast girls who can run down balls. If we can get the ball to Lauren (Cook), everything should fall into place for us.’’
Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com.
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