Magical Run To Final Four A Satisfying Finish For Larson

Sure, Jordan Larson remembers the championships.
 
She also remembers one of the best teams in Nebraska volleyball history, a defending national championship team that felt pressure to repeat, but fell a match short of making the Final Four in 2007.
 
"It was an interesting year," Larson said. "We had a lot of talent, we just couldn't put it together."
 
What's more, the Huskers lost four seniors from that team, including three All-Americans and a national player of the year. Most viewed the 2008 season as a rebuilding team.
 
"We kind of had our backs against the wall," Larson said. "We lost all these players and were like, 'Alright, what are we going to do?"
 
Larson, one of three seniors on that team, knew what she had to do. She needed to lead.
 
And what kind of leader was she?
 
"Excuse my language," Larson said, laughing, "but I was kind of a hard-ass."
 
That approach pushed her teammates, and it helped Nebraska make one of its most memorable, satisfying runs to the Final Four. The Huskers fell to Penn State, then in the midst of four straight NCAA titles, in the national semifinals, but they exceeded expectations of many outsiders. Larson, meanwhile, earned All-American honors for a third time, capping one of the most decorated careers in school history.
 
For her achievements, Larson is entering the Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame, one of six inductees for the 2020 class.
 
"Oh, my goodness. It's crazy," Larson said. "Eric Crouch got named, and to think about how he was a Heisman winner. To be in that category is a big honor. I'm just really honored and humbled."
 
Larson, a native of Hooper, helped Nebraska to a 127-8 record during her career, with four Big 12 Conference titles and three trips to the NCAA Semifinals, including the 2006 national title and a runner-up finish in 2005.
 
And, of course, the magical run in 2008.
 
"That was so special," Larson said, "because we had a cool group of people."
 
It happened in part because the talent-laden 2007 team fell to California in the NCAA Regional Finals, therefore fueling Larson to be the type of leader she described.
 
"I kind of had a standard that I set for myself, and therefore, I did expect that of others," Larson said. "Luckily, the two other seniors, Amanda (Gates) and Rachel (Schwartz), kind of did the 'buffering' I guess you could say."
 
Comparable to good cop, bad cop.
 
"It's tough," Larson said. "I'm not saying sometimes I wasn't liked, I just think people kind of had a hard time understanding.
 
"Like, sometimes I was, not harsh – I wasn't ever trying to be mean or anything like that. I just kind of set the standard, and they helped communicate in a less aggressive way, I guess you could say.
 
"I'm really thankful for them. We really did it together. It was a lot of fun."
 
Larson has embarked on an equally successful professional career. She was a two-time Olympic medalist, helping Team USA to a silver medal in 2012 and a bronze medal in 2016. She also helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 2014 world championships, the first-ever major tournament gold medal for the U.S. women's national team.
 
"I just think Jordan is the ultimate Nebraska volleyball player. Great volleyball player, great person," Nebraska coach John Cook said. "Represents her country and Nebraska really well. She never forgets where she came from. She's a small-town Nebraska girl and she never forgets that. Every time she comes back, she loves going back to her hometown and being around her friends. This is a great honor."
 
Cook delivered the Hall of Fame news to Larson at the end of a random FaceTime conversation that lasted about eight minutes. He asked general questions, at first, before getting to the real reason of the call.
 
"I had no idea. I was so confused. I was like, 'What is happening?' " Larson said. "I had no idea. Typically, he is so serious, so that's how I took him. I was blown away."
 
She was also grateful that the person who had a big role in shaping her career was the one to deliver the news.
 
"He loves volleyball, and I'm a volleyball nerd, too," Larson said of Cook. "He's always asking questions, which I think is what makes him so good. Once you start settling, things can get mediocre. His ability to push the envelope has allowed me to really expand my game as well. Be open to learning."
 
Larson now must wait another year for the Olympics, which have been postponed because of the COVID-19 global pandemic. She's in California, doing morning workouts with her strength coach.
 
While the state of California has repeatedly extended its stay-at-home order, Larson is approaching the time at home differently than many, and understandably so.
 
"Honestly, I think a lot of us are enjoying this time at home," Larson said. "A lot of the time we're halfway around the world, we don't get to be with family and friends. A lot of us are grateful for this time and look at it like that."
 
Whenever Larson's career as a player concludes, it will resume in some capacity within the sport, perhaps as a coach. Whatever the role, she wants to help young girls strive to be their best.
 
That sounds ideal for someone who's traveled the world and learned many types of volleyball, while succeeding at every level. And also for someone who can prove that childhood dreams can come true.
 
"I tell myself that I'm still Jordan," Larson said. "I always try to remember that little girl that had the biggest dream and the biggest hope, and I always try to relate to girls who are like, 'Oh my gosh, I want to be in your place!' I'm like, 'I totally get it. I was you 20 years ago.'
 
"I just really try to fully embrace that. I still feel like I'm that little girl inside, and can help others achieve their dreams."
 
Reach Brian at brosenthal@huskers.com or follow him on Twitter @GBRosenthal.