Nebraska Volleyball Media Day Press Conference - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site

Volleyball Media Day Press Conference Monday, Aug. 12, 2002

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Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook

Opening Statement:

Usually the opening statement at this press conference is a reflection of who we are and how we feel. It is a much different feel this year than it was last year. I think that everyone is more relaxed, including me, and that is mainly comes from knowing that the team is in the hands of these seniors. In our senior class, we have four very talented women, not only athletically, but also academically. Three of them have been All-Americans on the court, two of them have been Academic All-Americans and the leader of the whole group and the heart and soul is the least rewarded outside of this program but has the most important honor, as she will be our captain this year, and that is Lindsay Wischmeier. In addition to those seniors, the rest of this group has done everything asked of them without hesitation since January. From workouts to academics, they have done everything asked. It gives the coaching staff a lot of confidence heading into this season.

 

Laura Pilakowski broke all of the performance records for volleyball and she has several for all-sports for women now. She has done a great job in that area and we are really excited about that.

 

If you look at outside contributions, Greichaly Cepero got to travel with our national team. She traveled to Russia, Japan, Switzerland and Mexico. She played against the best players in the world. I see more confidence in her -- the game now seems slow to her.

 

I think Amber Holmquist has physically, emotionally and mentally made a jump. I see an edge to her. Physically, she has gone to another level. I see a talented group of seniors that is in charge of this team. Things feel pretty good.

 

Obviously our goal is to win a national championship and win the Big 12. I am going to tell you what our edge is, and there are three things: one is that we have eight players on this team who have national championship rings. They have experience. They know what it takes and what the grind is going to be like.

 

As I mentioned earlier, this group has done everything possible that has been asked of them. That gives us a great edge going into any match, knowing that we have prepared and worked and have done everything when we step on the court. That will be our edge.

 

The third thing that will be our edge is this rock. I am sharing this with you because this is really Nebraska