Metcalf: Back-to-Back National Titles 'Very Achievable'

Seven Student-Athletes to Be Enshrined

Nancy Metcalf International Bio

(Meendering) Metcalf Husker Bio

Randy York’s N-Sider

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One of the greatest legends in the history of Nebraska Athletics is a stay-at-home mom who’s expecting her second child. But she still watched every minute of the women's Olympic volleyball competition in Rio de Janeiro and reached two intriguing conclusions.?

First, Nancy (Meendering) Metcalf, one of seven student-athletes who will be enshrined into the University of Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame in September, strongly believes that the Huskers can win back-to-back NCAA volleyball championships for the first time in school history.

“I love that it's an attainable goal,” said Metcalf, a diligent Journalism major at Nebraska. “I know some current players and am so thrilled at the success they achieved last year and the possibility they have to match it this year. It would be an amazing but very achievable accomplishment for the team and would be wonderful for the program because it would solidify Husker volleyball's place as an elite program.”

Secondly, Metcalf staunchly believes that the three Huskers who were mainstays on Team USA’s No. 1-seeded women's Olympic qualifier gained global respect and volleyball’s admiration for rebounding from a crushing semifinal setback to win a bronze medal.

Three Former Huskers on 2016 Olympic Roster Testament to Coach John Cook

Having three former Husker players on the Olympic roster this year “demonstrated the strength and the quality of the Husker volleyball program,” said Metcalf, pictured above with her husband and daughter. “It’s a testament to Coach (John) Cook and what he’s doing here!”

Since moving to Lincoln, where Jason and Nancy Metcalf own the Capital City's Scooters’ coffee shops, Nancy knows fellow Husker Olympians Jordan Larson, Kayla Banwarth and Kelsey Robinson well. “It was heartbreaking to watch their goal of a gold slip out of reach, but I am so proud of them all for turning around and coming together to win the bronze,” Metcalf said, acknowledging how difficult it is to win a bronze medal in a playoff sport.

“Your dream of gold is shattered, and within 24 to 48 hours you have to turn around and put your heart into playing for the bronze,” Metcalf said. “I never thought of it that way before, but it's so true. It's easy to be fired up and play hard for the gold because everybody wants to be there. It takes resiliency to get back up and play hard for the bronze so soon after the heartbreak of knowing you won't get the gold. I was so proud to see three Huskers competing for and contributing to that team!”

A three-time first-team All-American at Nebraska, Metcalf played in two NCAA semifinal matches, but did not qualify for the National Championship match. She was, however, a prominent contributor to the Huskers’ national championship team in 2000, a year in which she redshirted following training with the U.S. National Team.

Metcalf: NCAA Regional Coliseum Crowd Helped Put Huskers into Final Four

Metcalf’s collegiate highlight was Nebraska beating Florida in a fabled Coliseum regional to advance to the final four. “The crowd was so loud and enthusiastic that they really pulled us along,” she said. “It was such an exciting win!”

Her post-graduate highlight was participating in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. “It was such a journey to get to that point,” she said. “Representing the USA, UNL and my hometown (Hull, Iowa) on volleyball's greatest stage was truly an honor and a privilege.”

Earning a place in the University of Nebraska Athletics’ Hall of Fame “hasn’t totally soaked in,” Metcalf said. “This is a huge honor for me and I feel so lucky to receive it! Individually, it makes me feel that I will forever have a place in Husker sports. I am so honored to be recognized alongside the great athletes on this list, names that I recognize from Husker sports history.”

With a son expected to join the Metcalf family that includes daughter Sophie in December, “I look forward to sharing this with my children when they're older and can understand it,” Nancy said. “I treasure the time I had at Nebraska and this is another memory I will keep forever.”

Hall-of-Famer Credits Culture and Support for Academic, Athletic Excellence

In her final year as a senior in 2001, Metcalf (No. 12 internationally) was named Big 12 Player of the Year a second time and added a second season as the NCAA Regional MVP. She earned the NCAA Top Eight Award, the highest distinction level the NCAA bestows on student-athletes who excel academically, athletically and in the community. She was also a finalist for the Honda Award presented to the nation’s most outstanding player and was named the CoSIDA Volleyball Academic All-American to cap her career.

“The sports culture and support at Nebraska are what set it apart,” Metcalf said. “In my mind, the culture surrounding Husker sports will always be synonymous with teamwork, discipline and work ethic. The support is incredible and unmatched, both from the support staff in academics and athletics and from fans.”

Amazing is the word Metcalf favors. “We are given everything we need to succeed,” she said. “It just takes hard work. I heard a quote about the support here, and it resonated with me. Someone told me, ?With all the support and assistance available, you really have to try to fail’.

“I could compare fan support and atmosphere of the Coliseum to other gyms we played in, and I knew it was special, but don't think I realized how special it was until I began competing internationally," Metcalf said. "That’s when I realized there truly is no place that can compare. Our fans are passionate, knowledgeable, courteous, and die-hard, and no place I've ever played has come even close.”

'Nebraska Way' Pushed Metcalf To Constant Improvement, Consistent Success

At Nebraska, striving for excellence was, is and always will be a process, and each graduating class that reflects back inspires others who are still on the journey.

“During my time at Nebraska, our coaches were constantly pushing us to improve and to do things the right way to reach success,” Metcalf said. “That definitely nurtured the work ethic and foundation to allow me to be successful in post-collegiate volleyball.

“When I was playing for professional teams and for Team USA, I always wanted to be the one doing things right,” Metcalf said. “There was no cutting corners. We worked hard every day and used every opportunity I had to continue learning and improving.”

Coming from a tiny Iowa town, Metcalf “liked the size of Lincoln and its friendly Midwest vibe. It felt very comfortable,” she said. “Nebraska offered top-level academic and athletic opportunities. I believe the combination of all that helps Husker sports teams attract the best of the best."

Expectations at Home, in College Required Dedication, Commitment, Resolve

“The biggest lesson I learned was how to work hard,” Metcalf said. “My parents always demonstrated an amazing work ethic and they expected the same from my siblings and me. They also stressed and demonstrated the importance of dedication, commitment and resolve. They’re all necessary keys to success.”

Working hard, regardless of what you're doing or how insignificant it might seem, is a daily mantra for this happy stay-at-home mom. “Always give your best in all that you do has served me well in my time playing both at Nebraska and post-college,” Metcalf said.

“I think the best advice I've ever received was a quote I heard and loved: ?Worry about what you can control and don't worry about the things you can't control,’” Metcalf said. "In sports, so many things are out of the athletes' hands, and if they spend time and energy focused on those things, it detracts from the time and energy that could have been used to make the situation better.”

Small wonder why Metcalf believes the Huskers can win back-to-back national titles for the first time in school history and see the character of three USA team members she knows personally who refused to let another agonizing loss measure their entire Olympic experience.

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