Courtesy: Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations Head Coach John Cook has led the Huskers to a 96-4 record the past three seasons.

The Nebraska volleyball team officially opened the 2003 season Friday at the NU Coliseum with its annual media day, which was sandwiched between the first two-a-day practices of the year. After the morning workout, the coaches and players met with the media for an hour.

 

The Huskers had 13 players report for practice, including preseason Big 12 Co-Player-of-the-Year Anna Schrad, as well as returning starters Jennifer Saleaumua and Melissa Elmer. Other returning players include seniors Jenae Dowling and Sara Westling, junior Ally Rebholz, sophomore Michelle Lynch and redshirt freshman Kelsey Fautsch. The Huskers will list five freshmen on their roster, including setter Dani Busboom, middle blocker Christina Houghtelling, libero Amanda McCormick and outside hitters Dani Mancuso and Emily Schroeder.

 

NU begins 2003 competition Aug. 29-30 at the Illinois State Barker GMC Classic in Normal, Ill. The Huskers will face Clemson at 5 p.m. Aug. 29 in the season opener.

 

Head Coach John Cook

Opening statement

We started out today with a really good morning practice. The team came into fall camp in great shape and a lot of that credit deserves to go to our strength coach (Courtney Carter). This is one of the most athletic teams we have had since I got here. This is going to be a new adventure for us this year. We have no returning All-Americans, we aren't defending national champions, and we have a lot to prove. The team theme for this season is ?Earn, Never Given,? because you have to earn everything you get.

 

On having a young team

With such a young team there is going to be an opportunity for them to play right away and start. It is really exciting from a coaching standpoint. We might be younger than in years past, but we have a very deep team. We are going to find the best players to play in our system. We don't want someone on the bench that has an opportunity to help us win matches. This team has potential to become a very good team. We believe that we can come out of the gates fast, but we feel that our best volleyball will be played towards the end of the season.

 

On the Big 12 Conference

The Big 12 conference is very deep this year. Everybody is a year older and a year better. Several of the teams have their setter back. We know that we will get everybody's best shot every night. To start the season off, we have to play some of the conferences top teams on the road, so it's going to be an adventure.

 

On senior Anna Schrad

For Anna to be voted preseason Big 12 Co-Player of the Year ? that is giving her great respect. The Big 12 knows what kind of player she is, what kind of person she is, and how hard she works, and it showed in the preseason voting.

 

Senior Outside Hitter Anna Schrad

On the 2003 season

I'm looking forward to making my last season here be the best one. It's going to be a change, but a fun change because of all the new faces. Everybody is coming into the season with a new attitude and new approach. I'm excited to see what this team can do.

 

Sophomore Setter Michelle Lynch

On the 2003 season
I think a lot of us have been waiting to show what we can do on the court. It's exciting for us. We're going to work hard and have fun as a group. I just feel fortunate be on a team with so many talented players.