2008 Husker VOLLEYBALL NOTES -- Nov. 7, 2008 Contact: Shamus McKnight Office Phone: (402) 472-7772 Cell Phone: (402) 540-0268 Fax Number: (402) 472-2005 E-Mail: smcknight@huskers.com 2008 Husker Volleyball Schedule Date Opponent/Tournament Time/Result Aug. 29 & 31 at Runza/AVCA Showcase Aug. 29 vs. No. 2 Stanford (CBS College Sports) W, 3-0 Aug. 31 vs. No. 4 USC (CBS College Sports) W, 3-1 Sept. 1 Oral Roberts W, 3-0 Sept. 5 vs. Northeastern (Cal Poly Tourney) W, 3-0 at No. 14 Cal Poly (Cal Poly Tourney) W, 3-0 Sept. 6 vs. Tulane (Cal Poly Tourney) W, 3-0 Sept. 12-13 Ameritas Players Challenge Sept. 12 vs. LSU (Devaney Center) W, 3-0 Sept. 13 vs. New Mexico W, 3-0 Sept. 17 at No. 18 Kansas State ^ W, 3-1 Sept. 20 No. 3 Texas ^ (NET/CBS CS) W, 3-1 Sept. 24 Kansas ^ (NET/CBS CS) W, 3-1 Sept. 27 at Iowa State ^ W, 3-1 Oct. 1 at Texas Tech ^ (MyTV) W, 3-0 Oct. 4 Colorado ^ W, 3-0 Oct. 5 at Creighton (NET/CBS CS) W, 3-0 Oct. 8 Oklahoma ^ (ESPNU) W, 3-0 Oct. 12 at Missouri ^ (FSN) W, 3-0 Oct. 15 Baylor ^ (NET/CBS CS) W, 3-0 Oct. 22 Texas A&M ^ (NET/CBS CS) W, 3-0 Oct. 25 at Oklahoma ^ W, 3-0 Oct. 29 at Colorado ^ L, 1-3 Nov. 1 Iowa State ^ (NET) W, 3-1 Nov. 5 at Texas A&M ^ W, 3-2 Nov. 8 No. 15 Kansas State ^ (NET) 7 p.m. Nov. 12 Missouri ^ (NET/CBS CS) 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Kansas ^ 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at Texas ^ (ESPNU) 8 p.m. Nov. 22 Texas Tech ^ 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at Baylor ^ 7 p.m. Dec. 5-6 NCAA First/Second Rounds TBA Dec. 12-13 NCAA Regionals TBA Dec. 18 NCAA National Semifinals TBA Dec. 20 NCAA Championship Match TBA All times listed are Central and subject to change. ^- Denotes Big 12 Conference match. All matches can be heard live on B107.3 FM in Lincoln and KTWI 93.3 FM in Omaha and selected Husker Sports Network Stations. TV Key: CBS CS - CBS College Sports Network; NET-NET Television; FSN - Fox Sports Net This Week in Nebraska Volleyball No. 15 Kansas State (21-4, 11-3 Big 12) at No. 3 Nebraska (22-1, 13-1 Big 12) Saturday, Nov. 8 NU Coliseum 7 p.m. Radio: Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and Twister 93.3 FM in Omaha, and on Huskers.com Live Stats: Huskers.com TV: NET Television (Ch. 12 and Ch. 112 in HD) Live Video: Huskers.com (free video) Missouri (11-12, 5-8 Big 12) at No. 3 Nebraska Wednesday, Nov. 12 NU Coliseum 7 p.m. Radio: Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and Twister 93.3 FM in Omaha, and on Huskers.com Live Stats: Huskers.com TV: NET Television (Ch. 12 and Ch. 112 in HD) and CBS College Sports (DirecTV Ch. 613; DISH Network Ch. 152) Live Video: Huskers.com (free video) Huskers Clash with Wildcats in Top-15 Matchup The Nebraska volleyball team returns to the friendly confines of the Nebraska Coliseum on Saturday night, as the Huskers play host to No. 15 Kansas State. First serve between the Huskers and Wildcats is set for 7 p.m. and the match will be carried on the Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and Twister 93.3 FM in Omaha, and on the Internet at Huskers.com. John Baylor and Lindsay Peterson will call all of Saturday s action on the network. The contest will also be carried live statewide on NET Television (Ch. 12 and Ch. 112 in HD) with Larry Punteney and Kathi Weiskamp. Huskers.com will also carry the NET feed for free on the website. Saturday is a key night around the Big 12, as the top four teams in the league will square off against each other. While the first-place Huskers and third-place Wildcats square off, Texas, which is second in the league race, travels to Iowa State. The Huskers (22-1, 13-1 Big 12) were tested at Texas A&M Wednesday night before prevailing in five sets (23-25, 25-17, 25-14, 20-25, 15-13). All-American Jordan Larson had 17 kills, 18 digs and a career-high eight blocks, as the senior had six of her kills in the decisive fifth set. Tara Mueller also turned in a big night for the Huskers, finishing with career highs in both kills (19) and digs (16), while Kayla Banwarth paced the Huskers defensive efforts with a career-high 27 digs and added three of the Huskers 11 service aces. Kansas State (21-4, 11-3 Big 12) is playing its best volleyball of the season, winning seven of its last eight matches, including a 3-1 win over Oklahoma on Wednesday night. KSU features two of the Big 12 s premier outside hitters in Rita Liliom (4.20 kills/set) and Natalya Korobkova (3.25 kills/set). Quick Sets -Saturday s match against No. 15 K-State is NU s first against a ranked foe since a 3-1 win over Texas on Sept. 18. The Huskers are 5-0 against ranked teams this season. -Kayla Banwarth s 27 digs at Texas A&M were the most by a Husker since Dani Busboom had 29 in the 2006 NCAA semifinals against UCLA. -Nebraska s 11 aces against Texas A&M matched a season high, while the Huskers did not allow an ace for the fourth time this season. - The Huskers dropped one spot - from second to third - in the Bison/AVCA poll released Monday afternoon. The 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers No. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown K/S B/S A/S D/S SA/S Worth Noting 1 Sydney Anderson S 6-0 So. Salt Lake City, Utah 0.88 0.60 11.59 2.00 0.32 5th nationally in assists; 4x Big 12 Rookie of the Week; Spent 07 with USA Program 2 Kayla Banwarth L/DS 5-10 So. Dubuque, Iowa 0.07 0.00 0.74 4.32 0.22 3rd in the Big 12 in digs; Runza/AVCA Showcase All-Tournament Team 3 Brigette Root S 5-10 Fr. Grand Island, Neb. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 Two-time all-state at Grand Island HS; Led Class A w/11.4 assists/set in 2007 4 Lindsey Licht OH 6-5 So. Aurora, Colo. 2.53 0.91 0.04 0.31 0.00 Career-best 17 kills on.500 hitting vs. No. 3 Texas; 14 kills and 6 blocks at CU 5 Rachel Schwartz (C) DS/L 5-9 Sr. Lincoln, Neb. 0.00 0.00 0.17 1.97 0.13 Season-high 17 digs vs. No. 18 Kansas State; 15 digs and an ace at TAMU 6 Jordan Wilburger MB 6-1 RFr. Scottsbluff, Neb. 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2 kills vs. Oklahoma; Redshirted in 2007; 2nd-team all-state pick in 2006 8 Brooke Delano UTL 6-4 RFr. Bellevue, Neb. 1.00 0.59 0.06 1.00 0.06 Had 16 digs, 7 kills and 4 blocks at No. 18 K-State; Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 10 Jordan Larson (C) OH 6-2 Sr. Hooper, Neb. 3.77 0.54 0.41 3.01 0.36 2-time All-American; AVCA National Player of the Week (9/22); 46 career double-doubles 11 Jessica Yanz S 6-0 Jr. Boilingbrook, Ill. N/A Will sit out 2008 after transferring from Penn State; 2006 VB Magazine Fab 50 14 Kaitlynn James OH 5-11 Fr. Louisville, Ky. N/A Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 pick in 2008; 2007 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year 15 Kori Cooper MB 6-2 Jr. Amarillo, Texas 2.09 0.94 0.03 0.17 0.00 2nd in Big 12 & 14th in NCAA in hitting pct.; 11 kills on.524 hitting at ISU 16 Allison McNeal MB 6-3 Fr. Schulenburg, Texas N/A Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 pick in 2008; No. 4 Senior in country by Prepvolleyball in 2008 17 Amanda Gates (C) MB 6-2 Sr. Columbus, Neb. 1.57 1.19 0.06 0.70 0.14 4th in Big 12 in blocks; double-figure kills vs. Iowa State (11) & Texas Tech (10) 19 Tara Mueller OH 6-0 So. Scottsdale, Ariz. 3.46 0.47 0.20 2.43 0.20 Career best 19 kills and 16 digs at TAMU; 3 straight double-doubles -Starters in NU s last match (C) - 2008 Team Captains Head Coach: John Cook, Ninth Year (San Diego, 1979); Asst. Coaches: Lizzy Stemke, Second Year (Wisconsin, 2002); Erik Sullivan, First Year (UCLA, 1995)
Nebraska Volleyball Three-Time National Champions Page 2 Weekly Release Nov. 7, 2008 Year-by-Year Record (Overall: 433-90,.828) (Nebraska: 272-17,.941, Big 12: 167-7) (Wisconsin: 161-73, Big Ten: 89-51) Year Record Pct. League Pct. Place 1992 (UW) 14-17.452 9-11.450 7th 1993 (UW) 19-13.593 11-9.550 5th 1994 (UW) 21-12.636 11-9.550 5th 1995 (UW) 22-15.595 9-11.450 7th 1996 (UW) 25-8.758 13-7.650 5th 1997 (UW) 30-3.909 19-1.950 t1st 1998 (UW) 30-5.857 17-3.850 2nd 2000 (NU) 34-0 1.000 20-0 1.000 1st 2001 (NU) 31-2.940 20-0 1.000 1st 2002 (NU) 31-2.940 20-0 1.000 1st 2003 (NU) 28-5.875 17-3.850 2nd 2004 (NU) 30-2.938 20-0 1.000 1st 2005 (NU) 33-2.943 19-1.950 1st 2006 (NU) 33-1.971 19-1.950 1st 2007 (NU) 30-2.938 19-1.950 t1st 2008 (NU) 22-1.957 13-1.929 -- Totals 433-90.828 256-58.815 -- Coaching Honors Guided Nebraska to two NCAA titles (2000, 2006) and four NCAA semifinal appearances (2000-01, 2005-06) Two-time AVCA National Coach of the Year (2000, 2005) One of only six coaches in NCAA history to be a two-time AVCA National Coach of the Year 2008 USA Volleyball All-Time Great Coach Award Recipient Two-time Big 12 Coach of the Year (2001, 2005) 1997 Big Ten Co-Coach of the Year 1997 NACDA/USOC Collegiate Coaches Award Nebraska Coaching Ledger Head Coach, 2000-present Associate Head Coach, 1999 Assistant Coach, 1988-1991 John Cook (San Diego, 1979) Head Coach Ninth Season 272-17 (at Nebraska) 433-90 (overall) Other Coaching Experience U.S. Women s A-2 National Team, 2004 University of Wisconsin Head Coach, 1992-98 U.S. Men s National Team, 1992 San Diego VB Club, 1986-88 UC-San Diego, 1983-84 Francis Parker High School, 1981-88 More About Cook University of San Diego, 1979 (Bachelor s Degree, History) San Diego State University, 1991 (Master s Degree, Teaching and Coaching Effectiveness) Worth Noting -Nebraska is 91-13 (.875) against ranked opponents under John Cook, including 17 wins over top-five teams. -The Huskers are a perfect 5-0 against ranked opponents in 2008, including wins over No. 2 Stanford and No. 4 Texas. -Saturday s match against Kansas State will be the 116th consecutive sellout at the NU Coliseum, dating back to 2001. NU is 109-6 during the streak, including 73 consecutive wins in the Coliseum. -The Huskers have won their last 52 Big 12 home contests dating back to the 2003 season and are 85-2 (.977) in conference home matches under John Cook. -Nebraska will be gunning for its 92nd consecutive win inside the state on Saturday against Kansas State. The Huskers have not lost in the state of Nebraska since September of 2004. -The Huskers are 92-4 (.958) in conference action dating back to the end of the 2003 season. -The Huskers lead the Big 12 in three team categories, including kills (14.42/set), blocks (2.67/ set) and opponent hitting percentage (.131) and also rank second in hitting percentage (.263) and assists (13.37/set). -Tara Mueller has recorded double-doubles in each of last three matches, and has established personal bests in digs in each contest. Mueller established career bests in both kills (19) and digs (16) in Wednesday s win over Texas A&M and is averaging 3.38 kills and 3.08 digs per set in that stretch. -The Huskers have swept 15 of their 23 opponents during the 2008 season. -Nebraska reached the 20-win plateau with its win at Oklahoma on Oct. 25. The Huskers have won at least 20 matches every year in program history (a total of 34 years). The second-longest active streak in the Big 12 is four by Texas. Nebraska s senior class of Amanda Gates, Jordan Larson and Rachel Schwartz will have their 125th career match on Saturday against Kansas State. The trio has helped NU to a 118-6 record (.952 winning pct.) over the last four year. Of the previous 124 matches, NU has been ranked lower than third for only two of them. -NU s nine non-conference opponents are a combined 139-62 (.692) entering this weekend s action. Stanford and New Mexico and Tulane could all earn their 20th win of the season this weekend. -Nebraska has won its last nine meetings with Kansas State, including the last six contests where both teams have been ranked. Nebraska vs. Kansas State Ranked Matchups Since 2004 Date NU KSU Location Result 10/13/04 4 16 Manhattan NU, 3-1 11/6/04 3 18 Lincoln NU, 3-0 10/19/05 1 23 Manhattan NU, 3-0 10/3/07 1 17 Lincoln NU, 3-0 11/3/07 2 12 Manhattan NU, 3-2 9/18/07 2 18 Manhattan NU, 3-1 -The Huskers were ranked second in the NCAA s RPI rankings released on Oct. 27. NU is 4-0 against top-20 teams in the RPI, including wins over No. 1 Stanford and No. 4 Texas. NCAA RPI (Released Oct. 27) No. School Conference Record 1. Stanford Pacific-10 17-3 2. Nebraska Big 12 20-0 3. Penn State Big Ten 22-0 4. Texas Big 12 16-2 5. Minnesota Big Ten 18-4 Scouting Kansas State Under Head Coach Suzie Fritz (168-75 in 8 years), Kansas State has been annually among the Big 12 s best programs. KSU comes to Lincoln with a 21-4 record and a four-match win streak following a win over Oklahoma on Wednesday. The Wildcats are led by senior outside hitter Rita Liliom, who is second in the Big 12 in kills (4.20/set) and points (5.68/set). All-Big 12 performer Natalya Korobkova averages 3.25 kills and 0.91 blocks per set, while middle blockers Megan Farr (1.77 kills per set on.374 hitting and 1.22 blocks per set) and Kelsey Chipman (2.09 kills per set on.333 hitting) provide a solid duo on the inside. Series History: Nebraska leads the all-time series, 77-3 dating back to 1975, and has won the last nine meetings. The Huskers are 15-2 against the Wildcats under John Cook with both losses coming in 2003. Last Meeting: Nebraska s seniors led the Huskers to a 3-1 win in Manhattan on Sept. 18. All-American Jordan Larson led the way, matching her career high with 21 kills on.372 hitting and 10 digs, as NU got big efforts from Larson, Amanda Gates and Rachel Schwartz. Gates tied career bests in both kills (eight) and blocks (10), while Schwartz came up with a matchhigh 17 digs. NU found contributions across the lineup, as Kori Cooper totaled 11 kills and added five blocks while Sydney Anderson collected her second double-double of the season with 46 assists, 10 digs and three aces. The biggest assist came from Brooke Delano, who totaled 16 digs, seven kills and four blocks in her first career start and Lindsey Licht, who notched a career-best 12 digs and added seven stuffs and six kills. Statistical Comparison Team Record Conf. K/Set Pct. Opp Pct. A/Set SA/Set D/Set B/Set Nebraska 22-1 13-1 14.42.263.131 13.24 1.37 14.78 2.67 Kansas State 21-4 11-3 13.74.262.195 12.89 1.37 13.82 2.52 Nov. 4 - Tues. Practice 3-5:30 p.m. DEPART FOR COLLEGE STATION AFTER PRACTICE Nov. 5 - Wed. at Texas A&M, W, 3-2 Radio: Husker Sports Network; Huskers.com TV: None Video: HuskersNside Nov. 6 - Thurs. Practice 3-5:30 p.m. Nov. 7 - Fri. Practice 3-5:30 p.m. Nov. 8 - Sat. Kansas State, 7 p.m. Radio: Husker Sports Network; Huskers.com TV: NET and NET-HD (Ch. 12 and Ch. 112) Video: Huskers.com Nov. 9 - Sun. OFF DAY Nov. 10 - Mon. Practice 3-5:30 p.m.
Nebraska Volleyball Three-Time National Champions Page 3 Weekly Release Nov. 7, 2008 Husker Probable Starters MB - #17 Amanda Gates: 6-2, Sr., Columbus, Neb. - Gates is in her first year as a full-time starter for NU after being the Huskers top backup at both spots. She averages 1.57 kills and a team-best 1.19 blocks per set, ranking fourth in the league in blocks and 10th in hitting percentage (.300). She has led NU in blocks 11 times, including an eight-block effort against Texas A&M on Oct. 22. Gates turned in a solid effort against Iowa State on Nov. 1 with eight kills and five blocks. Gates had eight kills on a career-high.700 hitting and four blocks at Oklahoma on Oct. 25. She had 11 kills on.571 hitting at Texas Tech on Oct. 1 and totaled a personal-best 11 kills at Iowa State on Sept. 27. It is the second time she has tied or bettered her career high this season, as Gates tied career highs in both blocks (10) and kills (eight) at Kansas State on Sept. 17. Last year, she averaged 1.29 kills and 0.81 blocks per set over 16 matches. Gates appeared in 23 matches as a sophomore and had a career-high 10 blocks against San Diego in her first career start in 2006. Gates will also contend for academic honors, carrying a 3.96 GPA in communication studies. MB - #15 Kori Cooper: 6-2, Jr., Amarillo, Texas - A preseason All-Big 12 selection, Cooper is averaging 2.09 kills on.395 hitting and 0.94 blocks per set, ranking second in the Big 12 and 14th nationally in hitting percentage and ninth in blocks. Cooper has hit.500 or better seven times in 2008, including a season-best.875 against New Mexico on Sept. 13. She has reached double figures in kills three times, including 10 kills at Colorado on Oct. 29. Cooper tied her season high with six blocks and added nine kills on.467 hitting in a win over Iowa State on Nov. 1. She also had six blocks in wins over Creighton (Oct. 5) and USC (Aug. 31). Cooper had a season-best 12 kills on.524 hitting at Iowa State on Sept. 27. Cooper dominated the inside at K-State on Sept. 17, pounding 11 kills without an error and five stuffs. She had her best weekend of the year, averaging 2.50 kills on.636 hitting and 1.50 blocks per set at the Players Challenge to earn all-tournament honors. Last year, Cooper averaged 2.31 kills and 1.01 blocks per set, ranking seventh in the Big 12 in hitting percentage (.356). Her career high for kills is 14, set against Missouri in 2007. Cooper was one of NU s starting middle blockers as a freshman, averaging 1.67 kills and 0.95 blocks per set in 30 contests. She also carries a 3.81 GPA in speech language pathology. S - #1 Sydney Anderson: 6-0, So., Salt Lake City, Utah - Anderson is in her first season at NU after spending 2007 with the U.S. National Team in Colorado Springs. The Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year, Anderson averages 11.59 assists, 2.00 digs, 0.60 blocks and 0.32 aces per set, ranking second in the Big 12 in assists and seventh in service aces. She is fifth in the country in assists and has five double-doubles, including 43 assists and 14 digs at Colorado on Oct. 29. She has helped NU rank in the top 20 in kills, assists and hitting percentage, as the Huskers have hit.300 or better nine times. Anderson dished out 51 assists and had four blocks and four kills against Iowa State on Nov. 1. She totaled 40 assists, four kills and four blocks while helping NU hit.340 at Oklahoma on Oct. 25, and had 48 assists, 10 digs and five blocks at Iowa State on Sept. 27. Anderson dished out a season-high 53 assists and added 10 digs while helping NU hit.319 in a win over No. 3 Texas on Sept. 20. Her other doubledoubles came in wins over nationally ranked Kansas State and Cal Poly. Anderson was a member of the U.S. A-2 National Team at the USA Open in both 2007 and 2008. Anderson began her collegiate career at Utah, earning first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2006. That year, she averaged 12.45 assists, 2.77 digs and 0.76 blocks per set en route to being named both the MWC Setter and Freshman of the Year. L - #2 Kayla Banwarth: 5-10, So., Dubuque, Iowa - Banwarth is in her first full season as NU s libero, averaging 4.32 digs and 0.74 assists per set, ranking third in the Big 12 in digs. She has reached double figures in digs 20 times and in 28 of her 31 career starts after her 27-dig effort at Texas A&M on Nov. 5. Banwarth enjoyed a career night against the Aggies, setting personal bests in both digs (27) and aces (three) and chipping in four assists. Banwarth has nine matches with at least 15 digs, including 20 digs at Creighton on Oct. 4 and against USC on Aug. 31. She has topped NU in digs 18 times and has had at least nine digs in every match this season. Banwarth earned a spot on the Runza/AVCA Showcase All-Tournament team after averaging 4.85 digs per set in wins over No. 2 Stanford and No. 4 USC. Banwarth closed the 2007 season as Nebraska s libero and averaged 2.75 digs, 0.45 assists and 0.17 service aces per set on the year. She was a three-time all-state selection at Wahlert Catholic High School in Iowa and was a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection. OPP - #4 Lindsey Licht: 6-5, So., Aurora, Colo. - Licht is in her first year as a full-time starter, averaging 2.53 kills and 0.91 blocks per set this season. Licht has hit.450 or better five times, including a season-high.667 with nine kills on 12 swings at Texas Tech on Oct. 1. Licht picked up her third consecutive double-digit kill effort with 12 at Texas A&M on Nov. 5. She turned in a strong effort in the win over Iowa State, coming up with 12 kills on.435 hitting and two blocks. She had team bests in both kills (14) and blocks (six) at Colorado on Oct. 29 and had eight kills and five blocks, including three solo stuffs, at Oklahoma on Oct. 25. Licht turned in a strong effort against Colorado on Oct. 4, finishing with 11 kills on.533 hitting. She established personal bests in kills (17) and attempts (30), hitting.500 against No. 3 Texas on Sept. 20. She tied her then-career high with 10 kills and added four blocks against LSU on Sept. 12. She had 10 kills on.450 hitting against No. 2 Stanford and had a careerhigh eight blocks against No. 4 USC. As a freshman, Licht appeared in 13 matches, averaging 0.59 kills per set in 25 contests. Licht was a two-time Mizuno/ Volleyball Magazine All-American and was a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection. -or- - DS - #5 Rachel Schwartz: 5-9, Sr., Lincoln, Neb. - Schwartz is one of NU s primary defensive players, averaging 1.97 digs and 0.13 service aces per set. Schwartz has put together two strong efforts, collecting 26 digs in NU s last two matches. She had 15 digs and a service ace in the win over Texas A&M on Nov. and had 11 digs off the bench in the win over Iowa State on Nov. 1. She has eight matches with at least eight digs, including nine digs against Baylor (Oct. 15) and at Iowa State (Sept. 27). Her best performance of 2008 came at No. 18 Kansas State on Sept. 17, when she had a season-high 17 digs while handling nearly all of the Huskers passing duties. In 2007, Schwartz ranked 11th in the Big 12 in digs, averaging a careerhigh 3.66 digs and 0.16 service aces per set. She totaled double figures in digs 17 times, including a career-best 21 digs against MU. Bison/AVCA Division I Coaches Poll (Nov. 3) Rk. Team (No. 1 votes) Pts. Record Last Wk 1. Penn State (60) 1,500 24-0 1 2. Stanford 1,398 19-3 4 3. Nebraska 1,380 21-1 2 4. Texas 1,299 17-3 3 5. Washington 1,262 17-4 6 6. California 1,238 19-3 4 7. Hawaii 1,105 19-3 8 8. Oregon 1,058 19-5 7 9. UCLA 962 15-7 9 10. USC 931 13-7 12 11. Wichita State 910 24-0 10 12. Florida 863 19-2 11 13. Colorado State 779 19-2 14 14. San Diego 690 18-3 15 15. Kansas State 631 20-4 16 16. Illinois 593 17-5 17 17. Minnesota 558 18-6 13 18. Purdue 461 19-5 20 19. Kentucky 401 22-3 21 20. Michigan 328 18-6 18 21. Saint Louis 270 20-4 23 22. Santa Clara 246 15-6 24 23. Pepperdine 142 16-5 19 24. Utah 113 17-5 NR 25. San Francisco 85 19-5 22 Others receiving points and listed on two or more ballots Long Beach State 60; New Mexico State 49; UAB 38; St. Mary s (Ca.) 28; Tulane 28; Iowa State 16; Wisconsin 14; Middle Tennessee 9; Oklahoma 9; Oregon State 9; Colorado 7; North Carolina 6; Cincinnati 4; Arizona 3; Clemson 3; Northern Iowa 3; Cal Poly 2 Coaches Poll Weekly Totals Date... Rank Preseason (8/14)... 7 9/1... 2 9/8... 2 9/15... 2 9/22... 2 9/29... 2 10/6... 2 10/13... 2 10/20... 2 10/27... 2 11/3... 3 11/10 11/17 11/24 12/1 Final (12/23) NCAA Attendance Leaders (as of Nov. 3) No. School Total Avg. Matches 1. Hawaii 6,138 104,352 17 2. Nebraska 5,061 50,610 10 3. Wisconsin 4,299 38,689 9 4. Minnesota 4,019 48,223 12 5. Wichita State 3,114 34,254 11 6. Penn State 3,073 39,947 13 7. Purdue 2,919 26,272 9 8. Michigan State 2,867 22,935 8 9. Florida 2,538 27,919 11 10. Colorado State 2,489 29,869 12 NCAA Winningest Active Coaches (as of Nov. 5) No. Coach, School Record Pct. 1 Russ Rose, Penn State 950-159.857 2 Dave Shoji, Hawaii 972-172-1.849 3 Mary Wise, Florida 651-122.842 4 John Cook, Nebraska 433-90.828 5 John Dunning, Stanford 664-138.828 6 Brian Gimmillaro, Long Beach State 648-152.810 7 Mick Haley, USC 722-176-1.804 8 Andy Banachowski, UCLA 1075-288.789 9 Bobbi Peterson, Northern Iowa 223-66.772 10. Leonid Yelin, Louisville 427-128.769 (Min. 5 years as a Division I head coach; includes record at four-year colleges only)
Nebraska Volleyball Three-Time National Champions Page 4 Weekly Release Nov. 7, 2008 Volleyball Quick Facts First Year of Volleyball... 1975 Overall All-Time Record... 1,051-186-1 Conference All-Time Record...420-22 NCAA Tournament Years...26 straight NCAA Tournament Record...73-23 Final Four Appearances... 10 National Championships... Three (2006, 2000, 1995) Facility (Capacity)... Nebraska Coliseum (4,030) 2008 Team Information Head Coach... John Cook (San Diego, 1979) Nebraska Record/Years... 272-17/9th Career Record/Years... 433-90/15th Assistant Coach... Lizzy Stemke (Wisconsin, 2004) Assistant Coach...Erik Sullivan (UCLA, 1995) Volleyball Office Phone... (402) 472-2399 2007 Overall Record...30-2 2007 Big 12 Record (Finish)... 19-1 (T-First) Husker Volleyball by the Numbers.849...All-time winning percentage of Nebraska volleyball (1,051-186-1 record).950...all-time winning percentage of Nebraska in conference matches (420-22) 1...Honda-Broderick Cup Winner (Sarah Pavan, 2006) 3...National Titles (1995, 2000, 2006) 3...Number of Huskers Volleyball Olympians (Lori Endicott, Allison Weston & Nancy Metcalf) 4...Huskers who won the NCAA Today s Top Eight Award, the most of any program 10...NCAA Volleyball Semifinal Appearances (1986, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006) 26...Number of consecutive NCAA appearances 29...Number of Big Eight/Big 12 titles in school history (32 years, including 2007) 32...Nebraska s nation-leading total of volleyball academic all-americans 62...AVCA All-American certificates won by 29 Husker volleyball players 81...Number of weeks that Nebraska has been ranked No. 1 in the national polls 115...Consecutive sellouts at the NU Coliseum (NCAA Volleyball record, as of Nov. 1) 378...Consecutive weeks in the AVCA Poll (Nov. 3) 13,412...NCAA regular-season record crowd vs. LSU on Sept. 12, 2008 17,209...Nebraska s 2006 NCAA Championship Match crowd vs. Stanford, the largest in NCAA history OH - #10 Jordan Larson: 6-2, Sr., Hooper, Neb. - A two-time All-American and 2008 Big 12 Preseason co-player of the Year, Larson averages 3.77 kills, 3.01 digs and 0.36 service aces per game, ranking among the league leaders in aces (third), points (4.49, fourth) and kills (fifth). She has a team-high seven doubledoubles, including 17 kills, 18 digs and a career-high eight blocks in the win at Texas A&M on Nov. 5. She also had a match-high 17 kills and 15 digs in a win over Iowa State on Nov. 2. Larson was named Big 12 Player of the Week on Oct. 27, averaging 4.17 kills and 2.67 digs per set in sweeps of Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Larson had 13 kills on a season-best.407 hitting in a sweep of Texas A&M on Oct. 22. She totaled 16 kills on.355 hitting and seven digs against Baylor on Oct. 15. Larson totaled a team-high 17 kills on.355 hitting in NU s sweep of Colorado on Oct. 4. She was named AVCA National Player of the Week on Sept. 22, as she averaged 5.00 kills on.319 hitting, 2.62 digs and 0.50 blocks per set in wins over Texas and K-State. Larson had a match-high 19 kills and 10 digs in the win over the Longhorns on Sept. 20. Larson carried the Huskers to a win at K-State, matching her career best with 21 kills and adding 10 digs. She was named to the alltournament teams in each of NU s first three events and was chosen as MVP of the Players Challenge after averaging 3.83 kills, 0.60 aces and 0.67 blocks per set. Larson was a third-team AVCA All-American in 2007 after averaging 3.45 kills, 3.18 digs, 0.51 aces and 0.63 blocks per set. The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2005, Larson averaged 4.13 kills and 3.50 digs per set as a sophomore and was the only player in the Big 12 to rank in the top 10 in kills and digs. OH - #19 Tara Mueller: 6-0, So., Scottsdale, Ariz. - Mueller is in her first year starting at outside hitter and averages 3.46 kills and 2.43 digs per set, ranking eighth in the league in kills per set. Mueller is second on the squad with six double-doubles, including one in each of NU s last three contests. Mueller turned in one of the best efforts of her career at Texas A&M on Nov. 5, setting bests with 19 kills and 16 digs in the five-set win. All six of Mueller s double-doubles have been in Big 12 action, including 12 kills and 12 digs against Iowa State on Nov. 1 and 13 kills and 12 digs in the loss at Colorado on Oct. 29. She had strong effort against Texas A&M on Oct. 22, drilling 13 kills and setting career bests in hitting percentage (.478) and blocks (five). Her career high of 16 kills came at Iowa State on Sept. 27, when she also added 10 digs. Mueller also collected double doubles against Oklahoma on Oct. 8 (13 kills and 10 digs) and No. 3 Texas (14 kills and 11 digs). She was selected to the Cal Poly all-tournament team after averaging 3.67 kills, 1.67 digs and 0.78 blocks per set. Mueller opened the year with 15 kills in a sweep of No. 2 Stanford on Aug. 29. As a freshman, Mueller averaged 1.27 kills and 0.95 digs per set. A Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection, Mueller was the 2005 Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona and started for the U.S. Junior National Team in 2007. Last Time Out: Huskers Withstand Aggies Jordan Larson totaled six of her 17 kills in the fifth set, helping No. 3 Nebraska escape College Station with a 3-2 win on Nov. 5. Larson, who finished with 17 kills, 18 digs and a career-best eight blocks, shined in the finale as the Huskers withstood a valient effort from Texas A&M to remain in first place in the Big 12. Larson was one of three Huskers to finish in double figures for Nebraska, which improved to 22-1 overall and 13-1 in the Big 12. Tara Mueller put together one of the best matches of her career, establishing career highs in both kills (19) and digs (16), while Lindsey Licht came through with 12 kills and three blocks as the Huskers topped the Aggies for the 19th consecutive time dating back to 1999. Nebraska held Texas A&M to.168 hitting and won the match at the service line with a season-high 11 aces, compared to none for the Aggies (10-14, 5-9 Big 12). Kayla Banwarth keyed NU s serving and defense efforts with career bests in both digs and aces with 27 digs and three, respectively. Three Huskers Earn Academic Honors Three NU players were honored Thursday, as Kori Cooper, Amanda Gates and Jordan Larson were chosen to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District VII team. It is the first time that any of the three were named first-team academic all-district, and all three are eligible for CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. Nebraska is the only Division I program with three firstteam all-district selections in 2008. Cooper, a three-year starter at middle blocker, averages 2.09 kills and 0.94 blocks per set this season. She is second in the Big 12 and 14th nationally in hitting percentage, and has hit.400 or better in 13 of NU s 23 matches. In the classroom, she carries a 3.82 GPA in Speech-Language Pathology. Gates is selected for academic recognition for the second time in her career, and has put together her best season for the Big Red. She enters the weekend averaging 1.57 kills and 1.19 blocks per set, ranking among the conference leaders in both blocks and hitting percentage. A communication studies major with a 3.96 GPA, Gates has been named to the Big 12 Community of Champions Good Works team in both 2007 and 2008. Larson picks up her second academic all-district award after averaging 3.77 kills, 3.01 digs and 0.36 service aces per set. She is among the Big 12 leaders in kills, aces and points. A two-time AVCA All-American, Larson holds NU s career record for aces (175) and is third in digs (1,269) and sixth in kills (1,431). In the classroom, A two-time academic All-Big 12 honoree, she carries a 3.31 GPA in communication studies. Larson and Mueller Provide 1-2 Punch Nebraska s outside hitting duo of Jordan Larson and Tara Mueller has been one of the nation s top outside hitting duos. The pair combines for 7.23 kills per set, as Nebraska and Kansas State are the only two Big 12 schools with multiple hitters in the top 10 in kills. Either Larson or Mueller has led the Huskers in kills in 22 of 23 matches this season, as Larson has topped NU 13 times, while Mueller has enjoyed team-high honors in 11 contests. They have tied on two occasions, most recently against Texas A&M on Oct. 22. Lindsey Licht is the only other Husker to lead NU in kills, as she totaled 14 at Colorado on Oct. 29. Doubling Up When you look across the conference leaders, NU has multiple players in nearly every category. The Huskers have two players among the Big 12 leaders in five of the seven categories. In addition, Kayla Banwarth is
Nebraska Volleyball Three-Time National Champions Page 5 Weekly Release Nov. 7, 2008 second among Big 12 liberos - and third among nonsetters in assists (0.74/set) Multiple Huskers in Big 12 Categories Category Player 1 Player 2 Blocks Gates (1.19, 4th) Cooper (0.94, 9th) Kills Larson (3.77, 5th) Mueller (3.46, 8th) Aces Larson (0.36, 3rd) Anderson (0.32, 7th) Hitting Pct. Cooper (.395, 2nd) Gates (.301, 9th) Points Larson (4.49, 4th) Mueller (3.93, 8th) A Husker First Nebraska s senior class of Amanda Gates, Jordan Larson and Rachel Schwartz accomplished a first for the Husker program in 2008. They became the first Husker senior class in program history to go an entire career without losing a regular-season non-conference match. -NU went 34-0 in non-conference matches over the last four years. The Huskers won 16 matches against ranked teams, including eight matches against topfive teams. -Nebraska s seniors are a combined 118-6 over the last four years, posting three 30-win seasons and helping the Huskers to a national title in 2006 and a runner-up finish in 2005. Sophomores Step Up in 2008 After replacing four All-Americans, Nebraska needed its sophomore class to step to the forefront this fall. Nebraska lost over 60 percent of its kills and total points from 2007. Percentage Back from 2007 Category K A SA D Pts. Pct. back 35.2% 9.0% 40.1% 47.8% 36.2% To offset those losses, the Huskers have relied on a quartet of sophomore starters - setter Sydney Anderson, libero Kayla Banwarth, right side hitter Linsdey Licht and outside hitter Tara Mueller - and all four have helped the Huskers to a 22-1 record. Prior to this season, the group combined for 11 starts at Nebraska in 2007 - including 10 starts at libero by Banwarth and Mueller. The group has combined for nearly half of Nebraska s total of kills and aces, as well as most of the Huskers assists and digs. Stellar Sophomores Category Pct. Soph. Team Total Kills 46.8% 527 1,125 Assists 94.9% 980 1,033 Aces 52.3% 56 107 Digs 58.9% 680 1,153 Points 46.6% 671 1,440.5 On the Block One area where Nebraska has gotten stronger is at the net. The Huskers have reached double figures in blocks in five of the last six matches after accomplishing the feat five times in their first 17 contests. NU has averaged 3.07 blocks per set in that time and now lead the Big 12 with 2.67 blocks per set. No Place Like Home Nebraska has enjoyed an overwhelming homecourt advantage across the state. The Huskers have won their last 91 matches inside the state s borders dating back to 2004, including matches in Lincoln (77), Omaha (13) and North Platte (1). With the Nov. 1 win over Iowa State, the Huskers extended their home winning streak to 82 matches - the second-longest streak in NCAA history and the longest since Penn State won 87 consecutive home matches between 1995 and 2000. NU is the only program to have a pair of home win streaks of at least 60 matches, as Nebraska won 63 consecutive home matches between 1999 and 2002. NCAA Home Court Win Streaks No. Wins Team Dates of Streak 1. 87 Penn State Nov. 25, 1995-Sept. 16, 2000 2. 82 Nebraska Sept. 11, 2004-present 3. 74 Northern Iowa Nov. 1, 1997-Sept. 18, 2004 4. 63 Nebraska Sept. 29, 1999-Dec. 14, 2002 Home Streak Breakdown Location Matches NU Coliseum 73 Bob Devaney Sports Center 4 Qwest Center Omaha 5 Longest Active Home Win Streaks No. Wins Team Dates of Streak 1. 81 Nebraska 2004-present 2. 50 Penn State 2006-present Air Jordan Climbs Husker Career Lists Jordan Larson has continued to climb the Husker career charts, jumping into the top 10 in kills, digs and solo blocks during the 2008 campaign. Larson has moved from 14th to sixth on NU s kills list and from eighth to third on NU s career digs chart, trailing only a pair of former teammates on the school s career dig list. Larson is also seventh on NU s career solo blocks list, joining Greichaly Cepero as the only non-middle blockers on the top-10 list. Career Kill Leaders No. Player, Years Kills 3. Lisa Reitsma, 1994-97 1,633 4. Nancy Metcalf (Meendering), 1997-01 1,603 5. Eileen Shannon, 1989-92 1,521 6. Jordan Larson, 2005-present 1,431 Career Dig Leaders No. Player, Years Digs 1. Jennifer Saleaumua, 2002-05 1,568 2. Dani Busboom, 2003-06 1,281 3. Jordan Larson, 2005-present 1,269 Career Solo Block Leaders No. Player, Years Digs 4. Greichaly Cepero, 1999-02 84 Allison Weston, 1992-95 84 6. Amber Holmquist, 1999-02 82 7. Jordan Larson, 2005-present 78 Larson is New Queen of Aces Jordan Larson took sole possession of one of the oldest marks in the NU record book on Sept. 27, overtaking Val Novak s school mark for career aces. Larson now has 175 career aces, surpassing Novak s total of 161 set between 1987 and 1990. The record for Larson is impressive considering that only 31 of the 123 matches she played has gone longer than three sets. Since Mary Buysse s career ended in 1984, four players have held the school record for aces at one time or another. Novak held the mark for 18 years, and it may take a long time for someone to eclipse Larson, especially since several scoring changes have occurred since the start of the decade. Nebraska All-Time Service Aces No. Player Years Holding Record Aces 1. Jordan Larson 2008-present 175 2. Val Novak 1990-2008 161 2008 Big 12 Standings (as of Nov. 3) Team Big 12 Pct. Overall Pct. Nebraska 13-1.929 22-1.957 Texas 11-2.846 18-3.857 Kansas State 11-3.786 21-4.840 Iowa State 8-6.571 16-9.640 Colorado 6-7.462 12-10.545 Baylor 6-8.429 14-10.583 Oklahoma 6-9.400 10-13.435 Missouri 5-8.385 11-12.478 Kansas 5-9.357 11-12.478 Texas A&M 5-9.357 10-14.417 Texas Tech 0-14.000 5-20.200 Upcoming Big 12 Schedule Date Match Time Wed., Nov. 5 Kansas 3, Colorado 0 Kansas State 3, Oklahoma 1 Iowa State 3, Texas Tech 0 Texas 3, Baylor 0 Nebraska 3, Texas A&M 2 Sat, Nov. 8 Texas at Iowa State 6:30 p.m. Kansas State at Nebraska 7 p.m. Texas Tech at Kansas 7 p.m. Baylor at Colorado 7:30 p.m. Sun., Nov. 9 Oklahoma at Missouri 1 p.m. Tues., Nov. 11 TCU at Baylor 7 p.m. Wed., Nov. 12 Iowa State at Texas A&M 6:30 p.m. Texas Tech at Texas 6:30 p.m. Missouri at Nebraska 7 p.m. Kansas at Oklahoma 7 p.m. Kansas State at Colorado 7:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 15 Texas A&M at Baylor Noon Missouri at Colorado TBA Nebraska at Kansas 7 p.m. Texas at Kansas State TBA The Big 12 vs. Nebraska (1996-2008) School Record Baylor 0-25 Colorado 4-22 Iowa State 0-26 Kansas 0-25 Kansas State 3-22 Missouri 1-24 Oklahoma 1-25 Texas 4-21 Texas A&M 2-24 Texas Tech 1-24 Totals 16-238
Nebraska Volleyball Three-Time National Champions Page 6 Weekly Release Nov. 7, 2008 Big 12 Team Rankings (as of Nov. 6) Category Rank NU Leader Hitting Percentage 2nd.263 UT-.339 Opponent Hitting Pct. 1st.131 -- Assists 2nd 13.24 ISU-13.29 Kills 1st 14.42 -- Blocks 1st 2.67 -- Service Aces 3rd 1.37 BU-1.47 Digs 5th 14.78 MU-16.01 Big 12 Individual Rankings (as of Nov. 6) Category Player Avg. Rank Hitting Percentage Cooper.395 2nd Gates.301 9th Assists Anderson 11.59 2nd Kills Larson 3.77 5th Mueller 3.46 8th Service Aces Larson 0.36 3rd Anderson 0.32 7th Digs Banwarth 4.32 3rd Blocks Gates 1.19 4th Cooper 0.94 9th Big 12 Team Rankings (as of Nov. 6) Category Rank NU Leader Hitting Percentage 2nd.260 UT-.351 Opponent Hitting Pct. 1st.138 -- Assists 2nd 13.38 UT-13.43 Kills 2nd 14.62 UT-14.89 Blocks 1st 2.61 -- Service Aces 2nd 1.22 KSU-1.32 Digs 4th 14.98 MU-16.78 Big 12 Individual Rankings (as of Nov. 6) Category Player Avg. Rank Hitting Percentage Cooper.379 2nd Gates.337 3rd Assists Anderson 11.72 2nd Kills Larson 3.94 4th Mueller 3.50 6th Service Aces Larson 0.30 7th Anderson 0.28 8th Blocks Gates 1.22 2nd Digs Banwarth 4.22 3rd Huskers in the NCAA Rankings (as of Nov. 3) Team Category Rank Actual Aces Per Set 139 1.32 Assists Per Set 9 13.37 Blocks Per Set 14 2.68 Digs Per Set 126 14.62 Hitting Percentage 17 0.269 Kills Per Set 6 14.55 Match W-L Pct. 3.955 Individual Categories Category Player Rank Total Assists Per Set Sydney Anderson 5 11.71 Blocks Per Set Amanda Gates 33 1.22 Digs Per Set Kayla Banwarth 89 4.25 Hitting Percentage Kori Cooper 14 0.407 Kills Per Set Jordan Larson 51 3.79 3. Lori Endicott 1988-90 159 4 Mary Buysse 1984-88 134 Completing the Ace Chase No. Player Aces Matches Sets Aces/Set 1. Jordan Larson 175 123 405 0.43 2. Val Novak 161 136 453 0.36 1,000-1,000 Club Outside hitter Jordan Larson is part of another exclusive club in Husker volleyball, as she is one of only three players in school history with more than 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. Larson joined All-American Jennifer Saleaumua and Eileen Shannon on the prestigious list in 2007, becoming the first Husker to reach the 1,000-1,000 plateau prior to her senior campaign. Larson is now bidding to become the first player at Nebraska to ever average more than 3.00 kills and 3.00 digs in an entire career. Larson is currently at 3.53 kills and 3.13 digs per set entering Saturday s match with Kansas State. Huskers 1,000-1,000 Club Player Kills Digs Jordan Larson, 2005-present 1,431 1,269 Jennifer Saleaumua, 2002-05 1,247 1,568 Elieen Shannon, 1989-92 1,521 1,074 Larson Doubles Up Jordan Larson s double-doubles against Iowa State and Texas A&M raised her career total to 46, which is the most by a Husker in the Big 12 era. The previous high was 44, established by three-time All-American Nancy Metcalf from 1997 to 2001. Larson has a teambest eight double-doubles this season, including seven in conference play. Husker Double-Doubles Leaders (Big 12 Era) Player, Years Double-Doubles Matches Jordan Larson, 2005-pres. 45 122 Nancy Metcalf, 1997-99, 2001 44 123 Jennifer Saleaumua, 2002-05 40 131 Anderson Sets Her Sights on Big 12 Sydney Anderson has made an immediate impact in her first season as a Husker. The Salt Lake City, Utah, native enters the weekend ranking second in the Big 12 in assists (11.59) and seventh in service aces (0.33). She is is bidding to become the first Husker to ever lead the Big 12 in assists, an impressive fact considering that NU has had three multiple All- American setters in the last decade (Fiona Nepo, Greichaly Cepero and Rachel Holloway). In fact, the last Husker to lead a conference in assists is current Iowa State head coach Christy Johnson in 1995. Anderson has lived up to her billing as the league s top newcomer, earning the weekly honor four times in 2008, most recently on Oct. 26. She is fifth in the country in assists and has helped NU rank in the top 10 nationally in kills and assists per set and 17th in hitting percentage despite losing a trio of All-America hitters from 2007. Anderson has also been effective on the offensive end, averaging nearly a kill per set and hitting.370. She has been tabbed for all-tournament teams in all three of Nebraska s tournaments and has five doubledoubles, including three versus ranked foes. Anderson dished out a season-best 53 assists in NU s win over No. 3 Texas on Sept. 17, helping the Huskers hit.319 as a team. Anderson reached the 50-assist plateau for the second time against Iowa State on Nov. 1. NCAA Assist Leaders (As of Nov. 3) No. Name Team A/Set 1. Alisha Glass Penn State 12.40 2. Jenna Hagglund Washington 12.09 Carli Lloyd California 12.09 4. Hillary Fountain Samford 11.72 5. Sydney Anderson Nebraska 11.71 Super Duper Cooper is Efficient Kori Cooper has been one of the Huskers most efficient hitters during her Husker career. She has a career.364 hitting percentage in 82 matches and has ranked among the Big 12 hitting leaders in all three years. With her 500th career kill on Nov. 1 against Iowa State, Cooper now is among the most efficient hitters in school history. Her.364 hitting percentage is sixth among all Huskers with at least 500 career kills. Cooper has 40 career matches where she has hit.400 or better (with a minimum of 10 swings) and is hitting a personal-best.395 in 2008 to rank second in the Big 12 and 14th nationally entering Saturday s match with Kansas State. Cooper had one of her best matches of the year against Iowa State on Nov. 1, chipping in nine kills on.467 hitting and equaling her season best with six blocks against the Cyclones. She has reached double figures in kills three times in Big 12 play, including 10 kills at Colorado on Oct. 29. Her season best is 12 kills on.524 hitting against Iowa State on Sept. 27. She put together a solid effort at No. 18 K-State on Sept. 17, when she totaled 11 kills on.524 hitting and five blocks. Charting Cooper Year Hitting Pct. Big 12 Rank 2006.344 Fourth 2007.356 Seventh 2008.395 Second NU Career Hitting Percentage Leaders (min. 500 kills) No. Hitting Pct. Player years 1..401 Virginia Stahr 1986-89 2..396 Amber Holmquist 1999-02 3..395 Cathy Noth 1983-84 4..387 Karen Dahlgren 1983-86 5..375 Tracy Stalls 2004-07 6..364 Kori Cooper 2006-08 7..363 Melissa Elmer 2001-05 Tara Time: Mueller Makes Strides Outside hitter Tara Mueller has performed admirably replacing two-time All-American and former AVCA National Player of the Year Christina Houghtelling. Mueller has become one of the league s top outside hitters, ranking eighth in the league with 3.46 kills per set, while also chipping in 2.43 digs and 0.49 blocks per set. Mueller, who has steadily increased her numbers each month, has opened November with two straight double-doubles. She had career bests in both kills (19) and digs (16) at Texas A&M on Nov. 5, totaling her third straight double-double. Mueller now has six double doubles - all coming in Big 12 action - and has reached double figures in kills in 12 of NU s last 15 contests. Her best match came against Texas A&M on Oct. 22 when she finished with 13 kills on.478 hitting, a career-high five blocks and seven digs. Tracking Tara s Progress Month Matches K/Set D/Set Double-Doubles August 2 3.14 1.14 0 September 9 3.33 2.17 2 October 9 3.68 2.82 2 November 2 3.44 3.11 2
Nebraska Volleyball Three-Time National Champions Page 7 Weekly Release Nov. 7, 2008 Gates Gains During Big 12 Action One of the most overlooked aspects of the Huskers Big 12 success has been the play of senior middle blocker Amanda Gates. The Columbus, Neb., native is averaging nearly two kills per set and among conference leaders in both blocks (1.22, second) and hitting percentage (.337, third). Gates has raised her totals significantly since the start of Big 12 action, including nearly a 125 point jump in hitting percentage. Gates has recorded back-to-back double figure kill totals at Iowa State and Texas Tech, setting a personal best with 11 against the Cyclones on Sept. 27. She had tied career highs with eight kills and 10 blocks at K- State on Sept. 17. She led NU with eight blocks in NU s sweep of Texas A&M on Oct. 22 and had eight kills on a season-best.700 hitting at Oklahoma on Oct. 25. Gates helped NU rebound against Iowa State on Nov. 1 with eight kills and five blocks. Comparing Gates in Big 12 vs. Non-Conference Matches K/Set Pct. Bl/Set Big 12 1.72.337 1.22 Non-Conf. 1.30.225 1.15 KGB Spies on Opposing Hitters For Kayla Grace Banwarth, shutting down the opposition has been her speciality. Since moving into the starting lineup at libero at the end of the 2007, the sophomore has been a force in the Husker lineup. In her career, Banwarth has reached double figures in 28 of her 31 career starts, including a career-best 27 digs in the win at Texas A&M on Nov. 5. It is the third time Banwarth has collected at least 20 digs in a match, with the others coming against No. 4 USC (Aug. 31) and at Creighton (Oct. 5). In fact, she has recorded at least nine digs in all 31 career starts and the only three matches she didn t reach double figures were Husker sweeps. Banwarth is third in the Big 12 in digs with 4.32 digs per set and is bidding to be only the third Husker to ever average at least four digs per set. Banwarth s defensive efforts have been instrumental, as Nebraska has limited 15 opponents to under.150 hitting and has allowed only one team to hit.200 this season. She is also second among liberos in assists (0.74/set) and has played a major role in helping NU limit opponents to a Big 12-best 0.69 service aces per set. Single-Season Dig Leaders No. Player Digs/Set Year 1. Dani Busboom 5.05 2006 2. Amanda McCormick 4.54 2004 - Kayla Banwarth 4.32 2008 3. Christina Houghtelling 3.95 2007 Larson Captures AVCA National Honor Jordan Larson received a national honor on Sept. 23, as she was selected as the Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I National Player of the Week. She earned the accolade after lifting NU to wins over No. 18 Kansas State and No. 3 Texas. Larson averaged 5.0 kills, 2.62 digs and 5.44 points per set, collecting a pair of double-doubles in the process. At No. 18 Kansas State, Larson matched a career high with 21 kills, while also getting 10 digs, two blocks and an ace. She followed that up with her 41st career double-double, recording a match-high 19 kills and 11 digs in the win over the Longhorns. The honor marked the 10th time a Husker volleyball player has been chosen for the AVCA s weekly national honor, while Larson becomes the seventh different Husker to receive the accolade. Nebraska s All-Time AVCA National Players of the Week Player Date Jordan Larson 9/23/08 Sarah Pavan 11/29/04 & 8/27/07 Christina Houghtelling 8/29/05 Greichaly Cepero 12/2/02 Amber Holmquist 9/10/01 & 11/25/02 Kelly Aspegren 9/6/94 Allison Weston 9/20/93 & 10/31/94 Nation s Best Since 2000 John Cook has been amazingly successful during his Husker tenure, posting a 271-17 record (.941 winning pct.) to lead all programs this decade. A two-time AVCA National Coach of the Year, Cook has enjoyed greater success in the Big 12, going 167-7 in conference matches over the past nine seasons. NU has won seven Big 12 titles in that stretch, including each of the past four years. NCAA Best Winning Percentages This Decade No. School Record Pct. 1. Nebraska 272-17.941 2. Florida 266-28.905 3. Hawaii 262-34.885 4. Penn State 257-38.871 5. USC 229-42.845 As of Nov. 6, 2008 Huskers Rank Second All-Time in Wins The Nebraska volleyball team is one of only five programs to reach the 1,000-win plateau and rank second in NCAA history with 1,051 wins. the Huskers are one of just five NCAA programs to reach the 1,000- win plateau. Most Wins by NCAA Division I Programs No. School Wins 1. UCLA 1,075 2. Nebraska 1,051 3. Missouri State 1,044 4. Brigham Young 1,028 5. Long Beach State 1,018 6. Penn State 1,001 Courtesy: Northern Iowa and BYU SID Offices; As of Nov. 6, 2008 Crowd Pleasers Nebraska has traditionally shown the ability to draw big crowds, and 2008 has been no different. Not only did the Huskers break the NCAA regular-season singlematch record for attendance against LSU on Sept. 12, but they have been involved in four of the five largest crowds of 2008. The Huskers are second nationally in average attendance (5,061) and that total does not include the Runza/AVCA Showcase matches in Omaha, which both drew crowds in excess of 7,000. The LSU match marked the third time in the last two seasons that NU has broken the NCAA regular-season attendance record. In fact, the eight largest regular-season crowds in NCAA history have involved Nebraska. 2008 s Largest College Volleyball Crowds No. Attend. Match Date 1. 13,412 LSU at Nebraska 9/12 2. 10,570 Wisconsin at Purdue 10/17 3. 10,026 Penn State at Minnesota 10/11 4. 8,399 Runza/AVCA Showcase 8/31 5. 8,037 Nebraska at Creighton 10/5 6. 7,529 Runza/AVCA Showcase 8/29 2008 Team and Individual Honors Team Accolades Paso Robles Marriott Invitational Champions Ameritas Players Challenge Champions Individual Accolades Sydney Anderson Runza/AVCA Showcase All-Tournament Team Paso Robles Marriott All-Tournament Team Ameritas Players Challenge All-Tournament Team Big 12 Rookie of the Week (Oct. 27) Big 12 Rookie of the Week (Sept. 22) Big 12 Rookie of the Week (Sept. 8) Big 12 Rookie of the Week (Sept. 2) Preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Week Kayla Banwarth Runza/AVCA Showcase All-Tournament Team Kori Cooper Ameritas Players Challenge All-Tournament Team ESPN the Magazine First-Team Academic All-District VII Preseason All-Big 12 Amanda Gates ESPN the Magazine First-Team Academic All-District VII Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 27) Big 12 Community of Champion Award Jordan Larson Big 12 Preseason Co-Player of the Year Preseason All-Big 12 AVCA National Player of the Week (Sept. 23) ESPN the Magazine First-Team Academic All-District VII Ameritas Players Challenge MVP Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 27) Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 22) Runza/AVCA Showcase All-Tournament Team Paso Robles Marriott All-Tournament Team Ameritas Players Challenge All-Tournament Team Tara Mueller Paso Robles Marriott All-Tournament Team 2008 Double-Doubles (19 by 3 players) Jordan Larson - 2008 (8) - Career (46) 2008 Opponent K A D B Cal Poly 11-11 - Kansas State 21-10 - Texas 19-11 - Kansas 12-11 - Iowa State 11-19 - Oklahoma 12-10 - Iowa State 17-15 - Texas A&M 17-18 - Sydney Anderson - 2008 (5) - NU Career (5) - All (14) 2008 Opponent K A D B Cal Poly - 39 10 - Kansas State - 46 10 - Texas - 53 10 - Iowa State - 48 10 - Colorado - 43 14 - Tara Mueller - 2008 (6) - NU Career (6) 2008 Opponent K A D B Texas 14-11 - Iowa State 16-10 - Okahoma 13-10 - Colorado 13-12 - Iowa State 12-12 - Texas A&M 19-16 -