The Nebraska Huskers breed volleyball superstars—and not just at the Lincoln campus. While John Cook’s girls are looking to bag their first national volleyball trophy since 2017, their talent and composure seem to be inspiring others to go forth and make history. The Huskers are without a doubt one of the favorites to win this year’s NCAA Championship, and it looks like the athletes can look close at home to find the inspiration to do so!

A recent post by Nebraska staff writer Abby Barmore on X from December 9 highlighted Norris High School’s seminal feat. The Norris volleyball team won its first Class B title in 10 years, and in the process ended Skutt Catholic’s nine-year title run. The Titans won the final in five sets 25-23, 21-25, 17-25, 25-18, 15-8, at the Huskers’ home stadium: the Devaney Center.

Subsequently, thanks to the incredible achievement, Norris’ head coach Christina Boesiger was named among AVCA’s 2024 Girls High School Region Coaches of the Year. However, what’s even more impressive is that it looks like volleyball talent is aplenty in the Nebraska family, as the Class B winners’ HC is also the mother of the Huskers libero Maisie Boesiger.

On the flip side, the achievement is still bittersweet for the Huskers Nation. The head coach of the Skutt Catholic team, Renee Saunders, is also a former Nebraska volleyball player. With their almost decade-long dominance coming to an end, the Omaha team was understandably left heartbroken, and Sanders’ consolation for her athletes won the fans’ approval last month.

However, the Nebraska college has its own challenges to look ahead to. With the NCAA Championship gaining momentum after the first and second rounds, the Huskers will be looking to continue their winning streak beyond the regional stages. However, understandably, the Norris coach’s accolade will now give Cook’s squad a major boost to the system to replicate the achievement on the national stage. Thankfully, Lexi Rodriguez & Co. will need plenty of it!

Nebraska Huskers looking to take a note from the high school coach

The Huskers finished the regular season with a 29-2 overall record and went on to share the Big Ten trophy with Penn State. The result would have been different if Nebraska wasn’t forced to concede a defeat to the Nittany Lions during the last week of the regular collegiate season. However, Cook’s team managed to bounce back in stellar style by trouncing Maryland in its final match before heading into the NCAA tournament. In the first second rounds of the regionals, Nebraska won against both Florida A&M (3-0) and Miami (3-0), to advance to the regional semis, where the team will face off against #23 Dayton on December 13.

With five of the Huskers seniors leaving the campus at the end of the season, Coach Cook urged the fans to rally behind their campaign to help them go all the way. Last year, Nebraska dropped the ball at the NCAA finals against Texas, making the pain of the loss acute. This time, it looks like they’re determined to compensate for last year’s ordeal and give the seniors the best parting gift. Do you think Nebraska has what it takes to reclaim its top spot in the country’s exciting volleyball scene? Share your predictions for Friday’s game below!