Cook Announces Addition of Omaha Native to the 2001 Roster

Lincoln -- Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook announced Tuesday that Omaha, Neb., native Amy Sibbernsen has transferred from Michigan State and will join the Huskers for the 2001 season. Sibbernsen, who is currently enrolled in summer classes at the University of Nebraska, was granted a scholarship release from MSU and is eligible to compete immediately for the Huskers. The Omaha Marian High School product will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Amy had a very successful season on the court at Michigan State last year, but she struggled a little bit with being away from home and felt that she needed to be back in Nebraska, Cook said. We are so happy to have Amy back, and were excited that she has the opportunity to be a part of Nebraska volleyball.

Sibbernsen has impressed the Husker coaching staff with her serving, passing and defense and will have an opportunity to contribute immediately at the outside hitter position for the Huskers, Cook said. Sibbernsen started the Spartans first 19 matches before suffering an ankle injury that sidelined her for eight matches. She ranked third on the team in digs (2.51 per game), fourth in service aces (15) and fifth in kills (2.51 per game). Sibbernsen posted a career-best 19 kills on 33 attacks with a .485 hitting percentage against Northeastern on Sept. 2, and she totaled a career-high 17 digs against Michigan Sept. 20. Sibbernsen notched seven double-doubles and recorded double-figure kill totals in 10 matches and double-figure dig totals 11 times.

A 1999 Volleyball Magazine High School All-American, Sibbernsen led Marian High School to a 44-1 record and the 1999 Class A state championship.

Sibbernsen contacted the NU coaches about transferring to Nebraska last spring, and the timing couldnt have been better, Cook said. The Huskers were facing the prospect of a lack of depth on the left side after redshirt freshman Rachel Baumstark was forced to undergo the second knee surgery of her career to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in April. Nebraska will now have five outside hitters in 2001, including Sibbernsen, first-team AVCA All-American Laura Pilakowski, sophomore Anna Schrad, and redshirt junior Pam Krejci and freshman Allyne Rebholz, who both moved to the left side from middle blocker.

Nebraska, which went 34-0 and claimed the national title in 2000, begins its 2001 slate Aug. 24-25 at the State Farm/NACWAA Classic in Stockton, Calif. The field also includes 2000 NCAA Final Four teams Wisconsin and Hawaii as well as host Pacific.