Huskers Begin Quest for Repeat Title

Looking Back and Looking Ahead
Shortly after the end of last season’s national championship season, Nebraska Head Coach John Cook was already looking for the next challenge for the Husker volleyball program.

The Huskers had accomplished a lot en route to going 33-1 and winning the school’s third national title in 2006. A journey  began with the search to replace two All-Americans, as well as the season-ending injury to Christina Houghtelling in the preseason. The Huskers banded together to become the first squad in school history to win a regional title on the road, and then handled the burden of being the favorite in front of the largest crowds in college volleyball history.

When the ride was over, the Huskers had the opportunity to celebrate a national title in their own backyard, defeating two of the sports most legendary programs in UCLA and Stanford to etch their illustrious place in program history.

The 2007 season provides a major challenge for Cook and the Huskers. Not only do they know that they have a bulls-eye on them after last season’s title, but also know  that they will be on the road for both regionals and nationals.

“Every year, we seek out accomplishments that have never been done before by a Nebraska team and try to raise the bar in this program. This season provides us the opportunity to be the first Nebraska team to go on the road for regionals and a Final Four.”

There is a great opportunity for us to find that mental toughness and meet those expectations to get to Sacramento,” Cook said. “Our team will be motivated and I think they are ready to embrace that challenge.”

While the task is daunting, the Huskers also have the personnel to meet the challenge. Nebraska returns the bulk of last season’s national title team, including AVCA National Player of the Year Sarah Pavan and All-Americans Jordan Larson, Tracy Stalls and Rachel Holloway.

If that wasn’t enough, Nebraska also welcomes back Houghtelling, the 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year, and a freshman class that is ranked in the top five nationally.

Cook believes that while the Huskers’ talent and depth puts them in a position of strength, it is the intangibles such as chemistry and leadership that will ultimately determine the team’s success.

“The most important thing is will this team find a way to max out like last year’s team?” Cook said. “We know we have the talent, now what are they going to do with that?”

Middle Blockers
 One area the Huskers have ample depth is at the middle blocker position. Nebraska returns three players with starting experience, including All-American Tracy Stalls, along with Amanda Gates and Kori Cooper. In addition, the Huskers also welcome freshmen Brooke Delano and Jordan Wilberger to the fold.

“We feel that our middle blocker position is a deep and  experienced position,” Cook said. “Tracy, Amanda, Kori and Brooke are all capable of starting for us.”

Stalls flourished at the middle blocker position, averaging 2.67 kills and 1.41 blocks per game en route to collecting second-team AVCA All-America accolades. After two injury-plagued campaigns, she was healthy in 2006 and led the Big 12 with a .400 hitting percentage. Stalls reached double figures in kills 13 times and punctuated a strong season with a career-high 17 kills against UCLA. She continued that progress with the U.S. National Team over the summer, averaging 2.25 kills per game on .615 hitting before suffering a slight knee injury at the Pan American Cup.

“Tracy is one of the premier middle blockers in the country and was playing at a really high level with Team USA this summer before her injury,” Cook said. “She emerged as one of our leaders last season and pushes her teammates to reach their potential.”

Cooper earned the starting job midway through the 2006 season and turned in a solid freshman campaign. The Amarillo, Texas, native averaged 1.67 kills and 0.95 blocks per game in 30 matches, ranking fourth in the Big 12 with a .344 hitting percentage. Cooper’s improved blocking showed during the NCAA Tournament, as she led NU in blocks in both the regional semifinal win over San Diego and the national semifinal victory over UCLA.

Gates provides the Huskers with an experienced performer who has seen time in the lineup during her first two years at NU. She appeared in 23 matches last season, averaging 1.27 kills and 1.18 blocks per game to finish second on the team in blocks per game. Gates totaled a career-high 10 blocks against San Diego and came off the bench for three big blocks to spark the Huskers’ national title match victory over Stanford.

Delano comes to Nebraska after leading Bellevue West High School to a 170-10 record and four consecutive Class A state titles. A two-time Super-State and All-Nebraska selection, Delano was rated as the No. 25 player in the country by Prepvolleyball.com and was a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection.

Wilberger also brings an intriguing background to the Husker program. The 6-foot-1 middle blocker earned second-team all-state honors as a senior. A three-sport athlete at Scottsbluff High School, she will likely redshirt this fall, but has the potential to blossom in the Husker program.

Right Side/Opposite
With the return of AVCA National Player of the Year Sarah Pavan and freshman Lindsey Licht, the Huskers are well stocked on the right side. Both players are 6-foot-5 lefties who create all types of matchup dilemmas.

“It is rare to have one 6-5 lefty, but to have two on the roster provides us with some options if we choose to,” Cook said. “There may be times we use both players on the court in order to maximize their talents.”

Pavan begins her final season looking to leave a legacy among the sport’s greatest players. A three-time first-team All-American, she averaged 5.10 kills, 1.50 digs and 1.00 blocks per game last season en route to sweeping every major national player-of-the-year award. She could become only the fourth player in NCAA volleyball history to be a four-time, first-team All-American and looks to become the first player to repeat as AVCA National Player of the Year since Logan Tom in 2001 and 2002. Pavan had 10 matches with at least 20 kills, including 22 kills in the national championship victory over Stanford. 

While many players would rest on their laurels, Pavan spent the summer working on improving every facet of her game.

“The natural instinct for someone who has had the year she has is to go on cruise control and let up, but that is not in Sarah’s nature,” Cook said. “She is driven in what she needs to work on to get better and goes out and accomplishes it. Sarah has pushed herself to be the best player she can be and is anxious to begin her senior year.”

Licht enrolled at NU in January and got the jump on the rest of the Husker freshmen, as she participated in spring drills.  A three-time All-Colorado selection, Licht was a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 recruit and totaled 1,199 kills and 335 blocks in four seasons. She was the Colorado Player of the Year in 2005 and helped her team to back-to-back state crowns.

Outside Hitters
 The Huskers lost senior Dani Mancuso to graduation, but welcome the return of 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year Christina Houghtelling, who missed last season with shoulder surgery. She teams with fellow first-team All-American Jordan Larson to provide unsurpassed firepower on the outside. In addition, the Huskers also welcome freshman Tara Mueller, who is one of the nation’s top recruits, to the fold.

We have the potential to have a great left side attack,” Cook said. “The special thing about all three players is they can all pass, block, hit and play defense. It’s hard to find one who possesses those skills.”

Houghtelling started on the Huskers’ 2005 NCAA runner-up squad, averaging 3.69 kills, 2.49 digs and 1.03 blocks per game. She ranked among the Big 12 leaders in both kills and hitting percentage (.364) and tied for the team lead with six double-doubles as a junior.

Houghtelling, who was one of the Huskers’ best passers and blockers, also had a knack for clutch performances, earning MVP honors at the AVCA Showcase and at the NCAA Omaha Regional. She had surgery in July of 2006 and has worked diligently to get back to 100 percent for her final year.

“Christina has been diligent in her rehab, and (strength coach) Laura (Pilakowski) says that she was the best athlete on our team in summer conditioning,” Cook said. “Her testing scores are at the same levels she was two years ago. We have to be patient and realize that it will take time for her to get back at the level she was used to before her injury.”

Larson more than filled the offensive void left by Houghtelling, garnering first-team AVCA All-America honors. One of the nation’s top all-around performers, Larson  averaged 4.13 kills, 3.50 digs and 0.46 service aces per game as a sophomore, ranking among the Big 12 leaders in all three categories. She led NU with 22 double-doubles and also totaled 31 solo blocks - the most ever by a Husker outside hitter. Larson has the ability to affect a match in a number of ways, and is primed for a big junior season.

“Jordan has taken her game to another level and it was something that we saw during the spring,” Cook said. She has had the full year of working in our strength and  conditioning program, and her progress is similar to what Christina’s was two years ago and Sarah’s last season. Jordan is already a great all-around player, but I think we are just starting to see Jordan’s potential.”

Mueller comes to Nebraska with impressive credentials after earning Arizona Player-of-the-Year Honors in both 2005 and 2006. She was rated as the No. 12 player in the country by Prepvolleyball.com and totaled 304 kills, 218 digs, 46 blocks and 45 aces despite missing half of her senior year. Mueller spent the summer competing with the U.S. Junior National Team, helping the squad to a fourth-place finish at the Under-20 World Championships.

Setter
Entering last fall, all eyes were on the setter’s position, as injuries forced the Huskers to run a 5-1 offense. This season, Nebraska has improved its depth across the board, allowing for a potential return to the 6-2. No matter which way the Huskers turn, setters Rachel Holloway and Maggie Griffin will be ready for the challenge.

“We’re fortunate to have two great setters in the program who both have set in national championship matches,” Cook said. “There is great competition in the gym and it makes both players better.”

Holloway earned third-team All-America honors, while becoming just the second freshmen setter in NCAA history to lead their team to a national title. She piloted an offense that led the country in kills per game (17.40) and ranked second in hitting percentage, while breaking in four first-year starters. Holloway totaled 13 double-doubles and finished her season by averaging 13.43 assists - an average that was 11th nationally - and 2.49 digs per game. She totaled a season-high 65 assists in NU’s comeback win over Minnesota in the regional final and had 58 assists and a career-high five blocks in the NCAA Finals victory over Stanford. Holloway took the summer off in order to prepare for this season.

“Rachel had an opportunity to train with the USA Program over the summer, but decided to take the summer off and focus on physically and mentally preparing herself for this fall,” Cook said. “It was a great move for her because it is the first time she has had an opportunity to prepare for a season. I think we will see a motivated and inspired Rachel on the court.”

Griffin, who shared time in the Huskers’ 6-2 offense in 2005, backed up Holloway last season, averaging 2.05 assists and 0.60 digs per game. Griffin was also used as NU’s serving specialist, putting up a 5-to-1 ace-to-error ratio over 21 matches. Two years ago, Griffin averaged 7.49 assists and 1.59 digs per game to help NU hit .322 as a team, equaling its highest percentage since 1986.

“Maggie comes off a great spring season and has worked harder this offseason than in her two previous years,” Cook said. “That work has put her in a position to have a strong senior year.”

Libero
One spot where the Huskers will be guaranteed a new starter is at libero, where Dani Busboom earned Big 12 Co-Libero-of-the-Year honors and averaged a school record 5.04 digs per game. Junior Rachel Schwartz, who served as NU’s defensive specialist in 2006, and freshman Kayla Banwarth are bidding for the starting job.

“I’m not sure you can just replace a Dani Busboom, who was probably one of the greatest athletes we have had in this program,” Cook said. This year, we have more depth to work with. We’ve never had two liberos of this skill level competing for playing time and it will be great watching them push each other in practice.”

Schwartz made 29 starts at defensive specialist, averaging 2.41 digs and 0.23 aces per game. She reached double figures in digs in 13 matches, including a career-high 15 digs in a five-game win at No. 9 Texas. Cook said that Schwartz was the Huskers’ most improved player since the end of last season and played at a high level in the spring.

“One of the interesting things to watch in the fall is how Rachel will develop in a full-time role and how she takes charge on the court,” Cook said. “She played at a high level last year, and one of the things I’ve always noticed about Rachel is she enjoys the big matches.”

Banwarth brings sterling credentials to the Husker program after leading Wahlert Catholic High School to three state titles. She was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Iowa and a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 pick, averaging 4.00 kills, 3.70 digs and 1.43 aces per game as a senior. She could also see time as the Huskers’ defensive specialist.

2007Schedule
Once again, the Huskers will be tested by one of the nation’s top schedules. Nebraska will play 16 matches against NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago.

In preparation for the Big 12 slate, Cook has put together a challenging non-conference schedule. NU opens the year at the AVCA Showcase in Omaha where they will face Tennessee and either UCLA or Utah the following night. In all, seven of the Huskers’ eight non-conference battles are against NCAA Tournament qualifiers, including regional finalists Penn State and Hawaii.

“Our focus will be on winning the Big 12 Championship,” Cook said. “It is very important to us and is a main focus of our season. Our conference continues to get better, and if you can win a Big 12 title, you have accomplished a great feat. The Big 12 will be up a notch.

The Huskers will be tested in conference play, as all six Big 12 teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament advanced to the second round, including Texas and Oklahoma, which both advanced to regionals in 2006.