Elmer, McCormick Named 2004 Volleyball Captains

Lincoln ? University of Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook announced Wednesday that junior Melissa Elmer and sophomore Amanda McCormick have been named captains for the 2004 season.

Elmer and McCormick are two returning starters from a Husker team that went 28-5 and reached the NCAA Regional semifinals in 2003. The team selections were applauded by Cook, who said both players were excellent choices for captains for the upcoming season.

"Being named captain of Nebraska Volleyball is one of the highest honors that a team can give to their chosen leaders," Cook said. "In selecting Amanda and Melissa, the team valued our core principles of trust, hard work, and the understanding that Nebraska Volleyball is ONE. We are so proud of these two student-athletes."

Elmer is a two-year starter at middle blocker and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2003, leading the Big 12 with 1.59 blocks per game while ranking among the conference leaders with a .352 hitting percentage. The 6-foot-2 junior from Fort Wayne, Ind., was third in school history with 169 assists, including a career-high 15 in a win over Kansas last season. A second-team AVCA All-American in 2003, Elmer was tabbed as the league’s preseason player of the year earlier this month.

McCormick served as the Huskers’ libero in 2003, appearing in 22 matches as a true freshman. The 5-foot-6 sophomore from Muncie, Ind., set school freshman records with 3.72 digs per game ? the second-highest total in school history. She broke NU’s three-game postseason digs record with 20 against Dayton and had a career-high 32 digs ? the highest single-match total in the Big 12 in 2003 ? against Missouri.

Fans will have their first opportunity to see the Huskers in action this Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Red/White Scrimmage. The alumni match will start at 6 p.m. with the scrimmage set for 7 p.m.