Volleyball

No. 2 Nebraska Travels to Texas to Continue Competitive Series

Lincoln -- The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team will continue one of its most competitive Big 12 series this weekend when it travels to Austin, Texas, to take on the Longhorns Saturday, Nov. 3. First serve at Gregory Gymnasium is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Texas has traditionally provided Nebraska with the toughest challenges of any league team. The Huskers are 17-11 all-time against UT, posting more losses to the Longhorns than any other Big 12 squad. Twelve of the matches in the series have gone four or more games, and NU is 4-6 on the road against Texas.

The Huskers are in the midst of a 42-match conference winning streak, and their last loss to a Big 12 team was Oct. 23, 1999, when the Longhorns defeated NU, 3-2, in Austin. Nebraska faced Texas in the 1995 NCAA title match, winning the fourth game, 16-14, for the programs first national championship.

Despite the competitive series, Nebraska has to be considered the favorite heading into the squads 29th meeting. The Huskers swept UT Oct. 17 in Lincoln, dominating the Longhorns in every statistical category. Nebraska, which has won 17 consecutive matches and 51 of their last 53 games, leads the Big 12 in hitting percentage (.330), opponent hitting percentage (.073) and blocks per game (4.49) in conference matches.

Offensively, the Huskers have been led by the 1-2 punch of Nancy Metcalf and Laura Pilakowski. Metcalf leads NU with 4.45 kills per game on a .348 hitting percentage, and Pilakowski is second on the team with 3.33 kills per game on a .297 hitting percentage.

Defensively, Nebraska features the best middle blocking combination in the country. Jenny Kropp and Amber Holmquist rank third and fourth, respectively, in the NCAA in blocks per game. Kropp leads the Big 12 with a 1.79 blocks per game in 2001, and Holmquist leads the conference in league matches only with 2.08 per game.

Husker Streaks

  • The Huskers have won 40 consecutive home matches, including 38 straight matches at the NU Coliseum. The streak is tied for second in the nation. Ball State has also won 40 straight matches at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Ind., the Cardinals home venue. Northern Iowa currently ranks first in the NCAA with 43 consectuive home wins.
  • NU Head Coach John Cook is 32-0 in the Big 12 Conference. Cook is 53-1 in two seasons at Nebraska, with his only loss coming at now-No. 1 Long Beach State Sept. 1, 2001.
  • Nebraska has won 17 consecutive matches and 51 of its last 53 games.
  • Nebraska has won 42 straight Big 12 matches, dating back to a five-game loss at Texas on Oct. 23, 1999.
  • Junior defensive specialist Lindsay Wischmeier has played in a team-best 87 consecutive matches.

Quick Sets
The latest on the Nebraska starting lineup:

  • Amber Holmquist ... broke out of a hitting slump at Missouri Oct. 24. Holmquist swung at a .487 clip through NUs first 14 matches, then hit .250, .214, .000 and .375 in the next four before pounding a season-best 16 kills on 25 attacks for a .600 mark against the Tigers. The 6-foot-4 middle blocker, who leads the Big 12 with a .437 hitting percentage in 2001, went on to post 11 kills while swinging at a .474 clip against Kansas State Oct. 27.
  • Greichaly Cepero ... named Big 12 Player of the Week Oct. 29 after posting 12.71 assists per game in guiding the Huskers to a .312 collective hitting percentage in wins at Missouri and against Kansas State. A dangerous triple-threat for Nebraska, Cepero produced impressive individual numbers, posting 2.43 digs per game and 1.00 blocks per game. She also recorded nine kills and zero errors on 19 attacks (1.29 kills per game), good for a .474 hitting percentage on the week.
  • Nancy Metcalf ... averaged 5.71 kills per game in wins over Missouri and Kansas State last week. She leads the Huskers in kills per game (4.39), digs per game (3.08), service aces per game (0.44).
  • Laura Pilakowski ... has re-emerged offensively in recent weeks, joining Nancy Metcalf to give the Huskers a potent 1-2 offensive punch. The Columbus, Neb., native hit .230 through NUs first 10 matches, but has hit .385 in its last nine to bring her average to .297, a 67-point improvement.
  • Jenny Kropp ... is averaging a team-best 1.90 blocks per game against ranked opponents. The senior middle blocker ranks first in the Big 12 with 1.79 blocks per game, and she was third nationally in that category in last weeks NCAA statistics.
  • Anna Schrad ... the sophomore outside hitter ranks third on the team with 2.98 digs per game.
  • Lindsay Wischmeier ... the junior defensive specialist has played in a team-best 87 consecutive matches, and she has seen action in 291 of a possible 293 games since arriving at Nebraska.

For more detailed information on Nebraskas starting lineup, please see pages 6-8.

A Look at Texas (12-8 Overall, 6-6, Big 12)
Texas is 12-8 overall and 6-6 in the Big 12 Conference. Eleven of the 14 players on Texas roster are freshmen or sophomores, and the Longhorns statistical leaders are all freshmen. Outside hitter Mira Topic leads UT with 4.76 kills per game and 3.70 digs per game. Freshman middle blocker Bethany Howden averages 4.39 kills per game on a team-best .343 hitting percentage, and freshman setter Abbie Schindler averages 13.74 assists per game.

  • The Coach: Texas is coached by Jerritt Elliott, who is in his first season at Texas. Elliott led USC to the Final Four last season while serving as interim head coach.
  • The Series: Texas has traditionally provided Nebraska with the toughest challenges of any league team. The Huskers are 17-11 all-time against UT, posting more losses to the Longhorns than any other Big 12 team. Twelve of the matches in the series have gone four or more games, and NU is 4-6 on the road against Texas.

The Huskers are in the midst of a 42-match conference winning streak, and their last loss to a Big 12 team was Oct. 23, 1999, when the Longhorns defeated NU, 3-2, in Austin. Nebraska faced Texas in the 1995 NCAA title match, winning the fourth game, 16-14, for the programs first national championship.

  • The Last Time: The Huskers defeated Texas, 30-17, 30-22, 30-21, Oct. 17 in Lincoln. Nancy Metcalf and Laura Pilakowski combined for 29 kills and 20 digs. Greichaly Cepero posted 43 assists to lead NU to a .348 hitting percentage, and the Huskers held UT to .048 at the net.

Cepero Named Big 12 Player of the Week
Dallas -- Greichaly Cepero was named the Big 12 Conference Volleyball Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 22-28, the league office announced Monday.

Cepero continued to showcase her impressive all-around game last week while leading Nebraska to wins at Missouri and against Kansas State. The 2000 AVCA Player of the Year averaged 12.71 assists per game while guiding the Huskers to a .312 team hitting percentage. Cepero added 2.43 digs per game and 1.00 blocks per game against the Tigers and KSU, and she also posted nine kills and zero errors on 19 attacks, hitting at a .474 clip.

At Missouri Oct. 24, Cepero recorded a double-double with 54 assists and 11 digs. The Dorado, Puerto Rico, native chipped in five kills on a .500 hitting percentage and tied a team-high tie with four blocks. She directed the NU offense to a .321 hitting percentage. Against Kansas State Oct. 27, Cepero tallied 35 assists, six digs, three blocks and four kills while swinging at a .444 clip.

In 2001, Cepero is averaging 12.80 assists, 2.25 digs, 1.19 blocks and 1.08 kills per contest against league opponents, as well as leading NU to a .330 hitting percentage in Big 12 outings. Ceperos honor marks the first time that she has been selected as the conference player of the week in 2001. She previously earned the honor twice in 2000 (Oct. 2 and Nov. 13). Cepero is the third Husker to receive the honor this season, joining senior right side hitter Nancy Metcalf, a two-time recipient of the award, and junior middle blocker Amber Holmquist.

The Great Wall
The most consistent and intimidating element of the Huskers game in recent years has been their block. Nebraska had out-blocked its opponents in an incredible 71 consecutive matches, going 68-3 during the streak, before falling two blocks shy of Missouri Oct. 24.

In Big 12 statistics released Oct. 29, Nebraska led the league with 4.49 blocks per game in conference matches. Junior middle blocker Amber Holmquist ranks first individually (2.08 bpg), followed by Jenny Kropp (second, 2.78 bpg), Greichaly Cepero (fourth, 1.37) and Nancy Metcalf (7th, 1.24). The Huskers have out-blocked their Big 12 opponents 170.5-52.5 (4.49-1.38 per game) in 2001. If Nebraska continues its current pace, it will capture its fifth Big 12 blocking title.

The 2000 Huskers were statistically the best blocking squad in Nebraska and Big 12 Conference history. In 2000, NU set a chool record with 4.20 blocks per game and a Big 12 record with 4.36 blocks per game in conference matches. The Huskers won the NCAA blocking title, and Holmquist claimed the NCAA individual blocking title with 1.98 blocks per game -- which was also a school record. Holmquist, who owns single-match conference records for block assists and total blocks, shattered the Big 12 record with 2.14 blocks per game in league matches. The Big 12s top three blockers were NU players -- Holmquist, Kropp (1.73 bpg) and Cepero (1.68 bpg).

Hitting Deficiency
Nebraska has stifled teams with its defense this season. Opponents are hitting just .097 collectively against Nebraska in 2001. Only two teams, No. 1 Long Beach State and Missouri, have hit better than .153 against Nebraska this season. The Huskers have held 11 of their opponents to less than .100 at the net, including No. 5 UCLA, which hit just .091 against NU. Nebraska leads the Big 12 Conference in opponent attack percentage, holding league teams to .073.

League Leaders
In the Big 12 Conference statistics released Monday, Oct. 29, Nebraska led the league in hitting percentage (.327), blocks per game (4.49) and opponent hitting percentage (.073). Amber Holmquist and Jenny Kropp were first and second in blocking, with 2.08 and 1.78, respectively, in Big 12 matches. Holmquist (.413), Kropp (.404) and Laura Pilakowski (.373) ranked 1-2-3 in hitting percentage in conference matches. Nancy Metcalf was third in kills per game with 4.47, and Greichaly Cepero is fourth in assists per game with 12.71.

Home Sweet Home
The Huskers have won 40 consecutive matches in Lincoln, and 38 straight matches at the NU Coliseum. Nebraskas last loss in Lincoln was a five-game defeat to Kansas State Sept. 22, 1999. NUs current home-match winning streak is tied for second in the NCAA, as Ball State has also won 40 straight at Worthern Arena in Muncie, Ind. Northern Iowa owns the country's longest home winning streak with 43. The Huskers have gone undefeated at home 11 times in program history and have been perfect at home five times in the past seven years.

Last Time Out: Huskers Sweep Kansas State
Nancy Metcalf pounded 17 kills while swinging at a .500 clip to lead No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team to a 30-24, 30-13, 30-23, victory over Kansas State Saturday night before 4,211 fans at the NU Coliseum. With the victory, Nebraska improved to 19-1 overall and 12-0 in the Big 12 Conference and extended its NCAA-leading streak of consecutive home wins to 40. The Huskers have won 17 straight contests and 42 consecutive Big 12 matches.

Junior middle blocker Amber Holmquist added 11 kills on a .474 hitting percentage and posted a match-high seven blocks in the winning effort. Junior setter Greichaly Cepero had an impressive all-around night, posting 35 assists, six digs, three blocks and four kills while swinging at a .444 clip. Cepero led NU to a .297 mark at the net. Junior outside hitter Laura Pilakowski recorded nine kills and a team-high 13 digs.

Defensively, Nebraska held KSU to a .022 hitting percentage, as four Wildcats hit for a negative percentage. The Huskers out-blocked KSU 12-5.5.

Liz Wegner produced a team-best nine kills but committed 10 errors for Kansas State, which fell to 12-7 overall and 8-5 in the league.

The Big 12s Best
Nebraska is looking to capture its fifth Big 12 Conference title in six seasons in 2001. The Huskers have won four Big 12 championships and 23 Big 12/Big Eight conference titles in the past 25 years. Nebraska owns an all-time record of 387-32-1 (.924) against Big 12 schools, and NU is 92-9 against Big 12 schools since the leagues inception in 1996. The Huskers have lost just once at the NU Coliseum in Big 12 history, a 1999 five-game defeat to Kansas State.

Full House
Nebraska drew 8,976 fans, the largest crowd in NCAA Division I volleyball this season, for its sweep of Oklahoma Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

NU, which has broken the all-time NCAA regular-season attendance record three times at the Devaney Center, shattered the nations previous 2001 attendance mark of 7,723, which was set Sept. 2 when Hawaii hosted UCLA. The Huskers normally play in the 4,200-seat NU Coliseum.

Overall, Nebraska ranks second nationally in attendance with 4,572 fans per contest. Hawaii is first with 6,488. Wisconsin, Florida and Long Beach State round out the top five.

All-America U
Nebraska is the only team in Division I with four All-Americans in its starting lineup. Junior setter Greichaly Cepero and junior outside hitter Laura Pilakowski earned first-team All-America honors in 2000, while junior middle blocker Amber Holmquist was recognized on the second team. Joining the three 2000 All-Americans is Nancy Metcsalf, a first-team All-America selection in 1998 and 1999. Metcalf redshirted in 2000 after training with the U.S. National Team during the offseason. The Nebraska volleyball program has now earned 38 AVCA All-America certificates, the second-highest total of any Division I institution. A total of 21 Huskers have earned All-America status, ranking Nebraska second all-time in total All-America athletes.

Nebraska Coach John Cook
John Cook (213-74) is in his second year as the Nebraska head coach after guiding the Huskers to one of the most successful seasons in NCAA history in 2000. Cook, who was named the AVCA Coach of the Year, guided the Huskers to a 34-0 record as they became just the second team in NCAA history to cap an undefeated season with a national title.

Nebraska was ranked No. 1 in the AVCA/USA Today Top 25 poll for a record 14 straight weeks and broke single-season school records for wins and winning percentage. Sophomore setter Greichaly Cepero earned AVCA National Player-of-the-Year honors. Three Huskers won AVCA All-America certificates, and five Nebraska players were named to the All-Big 12 teams. Laura Pilakowski earned Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, and a conference-best seven Huskers earned Academic All-Big 12 recognition.

Cook, 44, has continued his success in 2001, as the Huskers have gone 19-1, defeating eight ranked teams. Cook has improved his Nebraska record to 53-1, and he is 32-0 in Big 12 matches.

Cook took over the Nebraska head coaching job after serving as associate head coach during the 1999 season. Before returning to Nebraska in 1999, he led Wisconsin to six straight postseason appearances in seven seasons as the Badgers head coach.

Cooks accomplishments at Wisconsin earned him praise as one of the games top young coaches. He built the Badger program into a top-10 program during his seven-year career in Madison, which included back-to-back trips to the NCAA regional finals in 1997 and 1998. Cook compiled a 162-73 record at the helm of the Badgers, including an 89-51 Big Ten record. He was named the Big Ten Co-Coach and AVCA District 2 Coach of the Year in 1997 after leading the Badgers to a share of the Big Ten title with a 19-1 mark and school-record 30-3 overall record. Cook coached four All-Americans, nine AVCA All-District award winners, 11 All-Big Ten honorees and two Big Ten freshmen of the year at UW. He also coached 21 academic All-Big Ten selections during his seven seasons.

A graduate of the University of San Diego, Cook earned his bachelors degree in history in 1979. He completed his masters degree in teaching and coaching effectiveness from San Diego State in 1991. Cook and his wife Wendy, a former two-time All-America setter at San Diego State, are the parents of two children, Lauren, 10, and Taylor, 7.