Nebraska Cornhuskers Women’s Volleyball Team Overview

The Nebraska Cornhuskers women’s volleyball team competes in NCAA Division I and is part of the Big Ten Conference. Based at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, they play their home matches at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Remarkably, every home game has seen a full house since 2001. Since 2000, the team has flourished under the guidance of Head Coach John Cook.

Founded in 1975, Nebraska’s program is one of the most successful in women’s volleyball history, having more victories than any other team and claiming five national championships. The Cornhuskers have consistently ranked in the AVCA National Poll since its inception in 1982, holding the number-one spot more often than any other program. With 102 All-Americans, Nebraska leads the country in this category.

Nebraska’s Popularity and Attendance Records

Nebraska also regularly sets attendance records, often leading the NCAA in average game attendance. The team has played in some of the highest-attended women’s volleyball games in history. On August 30, 2023, Nebraska faced Omaha at Memorial Stadium, attracting 92,003 fans, making it the most-attended women’s sporting event in the U.S.

Early History of Nebraska Volleyball

The Cornhuskers’ volleyball program traces its beginnings to before Title IX in 1972. Initially, it was an extramural sport within the physical education department. In 1974, Pat Sullivan became the first head coach, leading Nebraska’s first varsity season.

Although the program started offering scholarships to female athletes, 1975 is officially recognized as the inaugural season. Sullivan’s leadership resulted in an impressive 83–21 record in just two seasons, which included an AIAW regional final in 1975 and Nebraska’s first Big Eight Championship in 1976.

Sullivan later coached at George Washington University for nine seasons and continued her career as a professor there.

Terry Pettit: A Legendary Coach Who Shaped Nebraska Volleyball

Terry Pettit, Nebraska’s second head coach, was hired in 1977 and played a pivotal role in transforming the Cornhuskers into a dominant force in women’s volleyball. Before joining Nebraska, Pettit was an English teacher and volleyball coach at Louisburg College in North Carolina.

He was introduced to the Nebraska job opportunity through a fellow coach and went on to become one of the most successful coaches in the sport’s history.

During his 23-year tenure from 1977 to 1999, Pettit led the Cornhuskers to an outstanding 694–148 record, claiming 21 conference championships and capturing the 1995 national championship. Under his leadership, the team became a national powerhouse,

making 19 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, reaching the national semifinals six times, and finishing as national runners-up twice. Nebraska’s first-ever national championship in volleyball was won during his reign, solidifying his legacy.

Achievements and Honors

Pettit’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable. He was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2009, received the USA Volleyball All-Time Great Coach Award, and earned numerous national and regional coach of the year awards. His ability to consistently lead Nebraska to success was evident as his teams won conference titles in all but two seasons during his time as head coach.

In 1978, Pettit broke barriers by offering the first full scholarships for volleyball to Terri Kanouse and Shandi Pettine. By 1981, the university allowed him to award up to 12 full scholarships for female athletes, marking Nebraska as one of the pioneers in supporting women’s athletics.

Pettit’s tenure saw 36 AVCA All-Americans, more than any other program during that period, underscoring his ability to develop top-tier talent. His commitment to excellence, both on and off the court, helped create a lasting legacy for Nebraska volleyball.

National Championship in 1995

Pettit’s crowning achievement came in 1995 when Nebraska secured its first national title. Despite an early-season loss to Stanford, the Cornhuskers rebounded by sweeping 22 consecutive opponents and finishing the season on a 31-match winning streak.

The team defeated Texas 3–1 in the championship match, with AVCA National Player of the Year Allison Weston leading the way alongside two other first-team All-Americans.

Transition to John Cook

Before the 1999 season, Pettit brought in John Cook as associate head coach. After Nebraska’s loss in the national semifinals, Pettit retired, passing the torch to Cook, who would continue to build on the foundation Pettit laid. Pettit’s contributions to Nebraska volleyball were further recognized in 2020 when he was inducted into the Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame.

Legacy of Terry Pettit

Terry Pettit’s influence on women’s collegiate volleyball cannot be overstated. His ability to recruit, develop, and lead some of the best athletes in the sport not only elevated Nebraska volleyball to new heights but also helped raise the profile of the sport across the country.

His dedication to the game and commitment to supporting female athletes has left an enduring legacy in both NCAA volleyball and women’s sports.

John Cook: Building a Volleyball Dynasty at Nebraska

John Cook became head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2000, succeeding the legendary Terry Pettit. Cook had previously served as an assistant coach under Pettit from 1989 to 1991, and before returning to Nebraska, he spent seven successful years as the head coach at Wisconsin.

Under Cook’s guidance, Nebraska has become one of the most dominant programs in NCAA women’s volleyball, consistently competing at the highest level and winning multiple championships.

Achievements and Accolades

Since taking over, Cook has led the Huskers to four national championships, five other national semifinal appearances, and an NCAA tournament berth in every season of his tenure.

His coaching excellence has been recognized with multiple awards, including being named National Coach of the Year twice (in 2000 and 2005), Central Region Coach of the Year four times, and conference coach of the year six times. He was also awarded the USA Volleyball All-Time Great Coach Award in 2008 and inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2017.

During his career at Nebraska, Cook has developed numerous elite players, including Greichaly Cepero, Christina Houghtelling, and Sarah Pavan, all of whom won the prestigious AVCA National Player of the Year award. Notably, Sarah Pavan was also honored with the Honda-Broderick Cup in 2007 as the Collegiate Female Athlete of the Year.

The Undefeated 2000 Season and National Titles

Cook’s first year as head coach was nothing short of remarkable. The team started the season ranked outside the national top ten but went on to finish the year undefeated, with a perfect 34–0 record. Nebraska swept through the Big 12 Conference, finishing 20–0 and capping off the season with a thrilling five-set victory over Wisconsin in the national title match. This made the Cornhuskers only the second team in NCAA volleyball history to achieve an undefeated season. Greichaly Cepero was named National Player of the Year and won the Honda Sports Award for being the best female athlete in collegiate sports.

Although Nebraska maintained its dominance in subsequent years, finishing with perfect conference records in 2001 and 2002, they fell short in the NCAA tournament to Stanford and Hawaii, respectively, ending both seasons with 31–2 records.

Consistent Success and Pavan’s Dominance

In 2004, Nebraska earned the number one overall seed in the NCAA tournament, marking the beginning of a record-setting 88 consecutive weeks at the top of the AVCA weekly poll. While the Huskers were eventually defeated by USC in the semifinals, freshman Sarah Pavan made a big impact, winning the AVCA National Freshman of the Year award.

Pavan would go on to become one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport, earning four First-Team All-American honors and winning the National Player of the Year award in 2006.

In 2006, Nebraska captured its third national championship, defeating Stanford in front of a record crowd of 17,209 fans. The Huskers swept 24 of 33 opponents that season, becoming the first team since UCLA in 1991 to win the title while hosting the finals. Sarah Pavan and Jordan Larson, a standout sophomore, played crucial roles in this championship season.

Continued Excellence and Transition to the Big Ten

Nebraska continued its run of dominance in the following years. In 2007, the team marked its 1,000th match with a sweep of Tennessee and won its fourth straight Big 12 title.

While their historic 88-week streak as the number one team came to an end, Nebraska still managed to place a record five players on the All-America teams. However, their NCAA tournament journey ended with a loss to California in the regional final.

In 2008, Nebraska rallied in a five-set victory over Washington in the NCAA tournament before falling to Penn State in the national semifinals. Nebraska’s ability to hand Penn State its first two set losses of the season was a testament to the Huskers’ resilience, even though they ultimately lost the match.

After winning its fifth consecutive Big 12 title in 2008, Nebraska’s 90-game home winning streak came to an end in 2009, and the team fell to Texas three times, marking a rare setback for the program.

In 2010, Nebraska announced its decision to leave the Big 12 and join the Big Ten Conference, ending its Big 12 run with a dominant 278–22 all-time conference record.

Legacy of John Cook

John Cook’s tenure as head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers has solidified the program’s status as a perennial powerhouse in NCAA volleyball. His focus on player development, recruiting top talent, and maintaining a high level of competition has helped Nebraska remain one of the top teams in the country year after year. Cook’s commitment to excellence has not only resulted in national championships but has also cemented his place among the all-time great coaches in the sport.

Nebraska Volleyball’s Move to the Big Ten and Continued Success

In 2011, the University of Nebraska made a significant move by joining the Big Ten Conference, which brought new opportunities and challenges. This transition meant regular matchups against powerhouse programs like Penn State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

Nebraska made an immediate impact by winning the Big Ten title in their first year of competition, but for the first time since 1993, they did not reach the regional semifinals.

Despite their strong start in the Big Ten, Nebraska did not claim another conference title until 2016. During that period, the program experienced a rare stretch of six seasons without a national semifinal appearance, the longest such drought in over 30 years.

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2015 National Championship and Breakthrough Performance

Nebraska’s return to dominance came in 2015 when they swept former Big 12 rival Texas to win their fourth national championship. The victory was particularly memorable, as it took place in front of an NCAA-record crowd in Omaha. Mikaela Foecke a freshman at the time, delivered a standout performance with 19 kills in the title match and became the third freshman in NCAA history to be named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

Continued Big Ten Success and Another National Title

In 2016, Nebraska enjoyed another stellar season, spending much of the year ranked as the top team in the country. They won their first Big Ten title since joining the conference, and in the NCAA tournament, they triumphed in a thrilling match against Penn State in the regional semifinals. However, their run ended in the national semifinals, where they fell to Texas.

The 2017 season began with a shaky start, as Nebraska lost its first two matches to Florida and Oregon. Despite the early setbacks, the Cornhuskers finished the regular season strong, sharing the Big Ten title with Penn State.

Nebraska once again defeated the top-seeded Nittany Lions in the national semifinals and went on to beat Florida 3-1 in the title match, securing the program’s fifth national championship. Mikaela Foecke was named Most Outstanding Player for the second time, making her one of only four players in NCAA history to win the award twice.

Recent Championships and Historic Events

In 2018, Nebraska made its fourth consecutive trip to the national semifinals, a program record. However, they were narrowly defeated by Stanford in a dramatic five-set national title match.

The following years saw Nebraska reach the regional finals in both 2019 and 2020 (with the 2020 tournament delayed to the spring of 2021). In 2021, Nebraska advanced to its tenth national title match, overcoming Texas and Pittsburgh along the way.

Although they lost in a five-set battle to Wisconsin, the match set a new NCAA volleyball attendance record. After the season, freshman libero Lexi Rodriguez became the second Cornhusker and the first libero to win AVCA National Freshman of the Year.

Volleyball Day in Nebraska: A Historic Event

On August 30, 2023, Nebraska hosted a historic event, “Volleyball Day in Nebraska”, at Memorial Stadium, transforming the football field into a volleyball court. The event included an exhibition match between Nebraska–Kearney and Wayne State, followed by a regular-season match between Nebraska and Omaha.

The event was declared a sellout just days after tickets went on sale, and the official attendance of 92,003 set the record for the largest crowd to ever attend a women’s sporting event in the United States. This also marked the highest attendance for any sporting event in Memorial Stadium’s history.

Legacy in the Big Ten

Since joining the Big Ten, Nebraska has consistently maintained its status as one of the nation’s top volleyball programs, competing at the highest levels and setting new standards for excellence in both performance and fan engagement. The team’s commitment to success has only strengthened, with historic moments like the 2023 Volleyball Day solidifying Nebraska’s legacy as a leader in women’s sports.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Women’s Beach Volleyball Program Overview

The Nebraska Cornhuskers women’s beach volleyball team was officially launched in the spring of 2013, making it the school’s 22nd intercollegiate sport. Although beach volleyball gained national attention, especially after the NCAA began sponsoring the sport in 2016, Nebraska did not actively pursue qualification for the tournament. Prior to the NCAA’s involvement, the sport was overseen by the AVCA.

Despite the growing popularity of beach volleyball, Nebraska remains one of the few Midwest institutions supporting the sport, alongside Wayne State and Eastern Illinois. Nebraska’s beach volleyball season is relatively short, with most of the competition occurring during a spring break trip to California and Hawaii.

Players on the beach team are selected from the school’s indoor volleyball roster, as beach volleyball is seen mainly as a developmental and recruitment tool for indoor volleyball. Head coach John Cook manages both programs, which allows for consistency in training and strategy. The beach volleyball program competes independently, without affiliation to the Big Ten Conference, which governs most of Nebraska’s other sports teams.

Historic Milestones and Achievements

On March 8, 2017, the Cornhuskers made history by hosting the first collegiate beach volleyball match in the state of Nebraska, where they defeated Missouri Baptist 5–0 at the Hawks Championship Center. Due to space limitations, the match was closed to the public. This event marked a significant milestone in promoting the sport locally.

Another notable achievement came in 2007, when Nebraska volleyball stars Jordan Larson and Sarah Pavan showcased their talent by winning the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship. The event, an invitational tournament featuring two athletes per school, saw Larson and Pavan outperform competitors from seven other schools to claim the title.

FAQ’s: Nebraska Volleyball

Is Nebraska recognized for its volleyball success?

Yes, Nebraska’s volleyball program is highly regarded nationwide, excelling in both indoor and beach volleyball. The team boasts a distinguished record of achievements, including several national championships.

Is Nebraska known for its volleyball program?

Yes, Nebraska is renowned as a volleyball powerhouse, boasting robust indoor and beach volleyball programs. The school consistently fields competitive teams and develops skilled players.

Which team defeated Nebraska in volleyball recently?

Nebraska volleyball has experienced defeats against various strong teams throughout different seasons. For the most recent results, consulting the latest game statistics is recommended.