Huskers Embark on Far East TourHuskers Embark on Far East Tour
Volleyball

Huskers Embark on Far East Tour

The Nebraska volleyball team will get a leg up on the 2006 season this month, as it embarks on a 16-day trip to Japan and China. The Huskers, who finished 33-2 and were the NCAA runner-up in 2005, will leave Lincoln on Wednesday, May 17, and return to campus on June 3.

Follow the Huskers on the Road

Husker volleyball fans will have an all-access pass to Nebraska's trip through Japan and Asia.

John Baylor will provide a daily blog on Huskers.com upon the team's arrival in Japan this week. Baylor will also phone in reports on Sports Nightly (6-8 p.m., Monday-Friday) which will also be available on Huskers.com

Huskers.com is also working with the Lincoln Journal Star to provide a photo gallery of the trip, as Journal Star photographer Jill Peitzmeier will accompany the team on the trip. You can see her photos and reports on Journalstar.com.

Fans will also have an opportunity to send in questions to the Huskers, as a special e-mail site has been set up for this month's trip. Click here to submit a question, and selected Q&As will be posted on Huskers.com throughout the trip.

While in the Far East, the Huskers will play several exhibitions against the top teams in both Japan and China, as well as immerse themselves in the culture of the region. The Huskers will also travel throughout Japan and see Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall among several stops in China.

"I think a lot of programs, when they do these trips, they just go like it's a vacation," Cook said. "We want to make this an educational experience, and that's how we pitch it. It's going to be a very intense and focused time."

This is the second oversees trip that the Huskers have taken, as Nebraska went to China prior to the 2000 season. In addition to the travel and educational opportunities, this month’s trip also gave the Huskers additional practice time, as NU has been in the gym since May 6.  The additional practice time is vital for a team that is looking to replace a pair of All-Americans in Melissa Elmer and Jennifer Saleaumua.

"This is just such a tremendous teaching opportunity for us," Cook said. "We get to work with the players without them being in school, and we'll get a chance to work on a lot of things we normally wouldn't get to work on."

In addition to the practice time, the Huskers are also learning about the culture of both countries, including traditional customs. Even NU’s off-court training has been shifted, as the team is taking Yoga and Tai Chi in preparation for this month’s trip.

The Huskers will take 11 players to China, including six of their top eight players from its 6-2 offense. The returnees include 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year Christina Houghtelling, two-time All-American Sarah Pavan, 2005 Big 12 Freshman of the Year Jordan Larson and multiple-year starter Dani Busboom and Tracy Stalls along with starting setter Maggie Griffin.