The 2023 NCAA Women’s Volleyball finals was one of the most looked forward to matches for the Nebraska Huskers. However, they also turned out to be the team’s most grim memory of the 2023 season. While the defense-heavy fortress of Nebraska tried to hold its ground, its lack of artillery resulted in its eventual loss.

The Nebraska Huskers have now used the off-season to strengthen their offense and make up for their lack of artillery. For this, HC John Cook has not only secured a great trade but also recruited great freshmen in his squad. However, this has now created a new problem for Nebraska. Especially for one of their star players who missed a lot of matches due to injuries in 2023.

A great new addition to the Nebraska Huskers Volleyball team

The Nebraska Huskers had a decent offense coupled with a very strong defense in the 2023 season. While this ensured success against most teams, the Huskers ran into trouble against strong teams like Wisconsin and Texas. Thus, while Nebraska won matches, they failed to win matches that counted.

This made Nebraska’s off-season objective very clear: secure great offensive players. Acting on the same, the Nebraska Huskers have recruited outside hitter Skyler Pierce for 2024. Pierce averages a whopping 4.6 kills per set and is also a highly qualified blocker with the ability to pass and dig. Pierce has been keen on joining the Huskers and gave her commitment in July 2022.

According to Lincoln Journal Star, head coach John Cook said, “Skyler already bleeds Husker red and has traveled to more of our matches than any recruit we’ve had before. Skyler is an incredibly gifted athlete who is not only a great attacker, but can serve, pass, and play defense in the back row as well. She has a very calm but stable demeanor to her but is a fierce competitor who wants the ball in big moments.” 

Cook also said that she’ll be handling the left side of the attack for the Nebraska Huskers. Notably, Pierce was the MVP of the 2 January Next All-America match held in Orlando, featuring seniors from 28 high schools. While the Nebraska Huskers struck gold in the fresher division, they also struck gold in player trading. Nebraska received one of the finest offensive players in the league from the trading block.

The much-awaited entry of Taylor Landfair in Nebraska’s camp

The news of Taylor Landfair’s arrival to the Nebraska Huskers is currently making a lot of noise. The star outside hitter from the Minnesota Golden Gophers had started a frenzy ever since she opted to move to the trading block. However, despite staying in the portal for days, she eventually chose to side with Nebraska for her remaining two years of eligibility.

The 2022 Big Ten Player of the Year was sought after by almost every program, including Nebraska’s arch-rivals, the Wisconsin Badgers. This is perhaps the most important arrival for the Nebraska Huskers. While Skyler Pierce would have added to the offensive strength of Nebraska, Harper Murray was already doing that.

The Huskers needed a player with depth to lead the offensive charge, and Landfair, who will be a redshirt junior in 2024, can provide that. With Landfair and Pierce in the camp, the Nebraska Huskers now have five impressive outside hitters, including Harper Murray, Lindsay Krause, and Merritt Beason. However, while Harper Murray played brilliantly throughout 2023, Nebraska’s fourth OH Lindsay Krause didn’t deliver what the team expected from her.

Why Lindsay Krause’s spot may not be safe in the revamped team

While Landfair’s presence will bring about the experience and depth Nebraska needs, they almost already had it with Lindsay Krause. However, despite being a great player right from her high school days, Krause was mostly out on the bench due to injuries. This put additional pressure on captain Merritt Beason, who did play her part, but was also in dire need of support.

Lindsay Krause played just 14 out of 35 matches in 2023 and was absent from the NCAA finals as well. Most importantly, five great attackers on the team have created an outside hitter situation for the Nebraska Huskers. It is highly unlikely that John Cook would be going for the 6-2 rotation with his team. Especially when Bergen Reilly has proven her mettle as an A1-grade setter. 

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Moreover, the Nebraska Huskers wouldn’t want to abandon playing to their strengths and do away with their defensive prowess completely. Thus, John Cook would look forward to going in with the best shields and swords. Particularly the swords that he can unsheathe and use. Does this mean that Lindsay Krause will have to take a backseat in the team in 2024 by default? Or will the team devise a strategy to make use of all the talent it has?

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