John Baylor Blog: May 27

Bye bye Bayi; hello rematch Tuesday
The Huskers played the Bayi (Bye-ee) Pro Team today at the University of Beijing and lost.  But this was a match with drama and moments of greatness.  Remember in 2000 that the future national championship team never got a game from Bayi; these Huskers lost 3-1 (25-16, 17-25, 25-23, and 25-23).

Jordan Larson is something else.  She's attacking more fiercely than ever, blocking better, and is one of Nebraska's best passers and servers.  I don't think she'll ever struggle again like she did versus Washington -- she has become too good a player, visibly more confident in all aspects of her game and life.

Jordan is an only child whose Dad teaches technology at her alma mater, Logan View High, and whose Mom works for her husband Pat's construction company.  This is Jordan's third foreign volleyball trip.  She relishes this experience. 

"Playing for the Youth National Team in Poland was special.  I got tingles when I heard the national anthem; I realized then that I was one of six players starting on the team representing our country." 

That team upset top seed Russia-- a match Jordan watches frequently-- before finishing fourth in the world.

"We're a different team than the one that left Lincoln.  Everybody has even more respect for each other.  We got rid of the distractions, and that has helped."  Jordan Larson, just a sophomore, has a chance to be an extremely special player this year and certainly before she finishes at Nebraska.

We spent the morning in the rain touring the Summer Palace.  The rain detracted some from the temples and lake that Emperorers enjoyed during the summer months, but a hearty lunch before the Bayi match helped.  We eat meals typically at round tables, feasting on multiple plates of rice and food that circulate on the Chinese equivalent of a lazy Susan.  This is when friendships are tested.  This group can be fairly aggressive, and the food vanishes quickly.

After the Bayi match, we took in the Lama Temple, site of the largest wooden Buddha, about 28 meters tall.  We're starting to get a bit 'templed out.'  After a hearty dinner we took in the Opera.  Chinese Opera is not anything like classic western opera; I prefer the latter.  The Chinese version sounds more like squawking than singing. Then some karaoke with Tracy Stalls hammering out an impressive 'Manic Monday' by the Bangles.

We'll spend Sunday at the Great Wall before rematches versus the Beijing and Bayi Pro Teams Monday and Tuesday.  An overnight train ride to Shanghai awaits us Tuesday night.