John Cook’s Huskers are the new NCAA Regional Champions! But they’re not stopping at that. Their fate was written just a few minutes back, as Penn State and Creighton battled it out over a five-set thriller in the second regional finals, and well, we have a winner! The Nittany Lions will sail through and meet Nebraska in the Final Four!

But initially, who looked like they’d be a better opponent for the Huskers to have? Well, the Bluejays appeared as though they were on a quest, knocking out the two-time defending champions Texas, and making it so far for the first time since 2016. Whereas, Penn State, the No. 2 seed, was always a strong side. While both seemed equally fierce, which one was Coach Cook’s preferred opponent?

John Cook’s laid-back celebration reveal

After sweeping Wisconsin in three sets, when John Cook, accompanied by 2 Huskers, Lexie Rodriguez and Harper Murray sat for the post-match interview, the coach faced the question: Nittany Lions or the Bluejays? Who would he have picked to win the second finals? He instantly nodded his head in disagreement and said, “No, Nope!”

Does that mean he cheered for none? Well, looks like it. He says, “We’re going to celebrate today and worry about that tomorrow.” However, Coach Cook did open up about his celebration plans. When asked if he’d celebrate by watching the Penn vs Creighton game at night, he replied, “Maybe. Yellowstone’s on so.”

The crowd laughed it out as John Cook’s side as a fan was unveiled. He seemed in two minds for sure, “I don’t know. Yellowstone’s on. It’s a season final so.” He even joked, “I’m going to see if Tom Chatel’s a prophet because he told me how it was going to end.”

Without a doubt, the Yellowstone series Season 5’s final episodes have been one of the biggest events of the 2024 TV schedule. So much that coach Cook’s anticipation to watch it was palpably more than finding out who the Huskers’ opponent was! But the verdict is out and it’s written with blue and white ink!

The Nittany Lions to face Coach Cook’s Big Reds

Penn State has officially reserved a spot for themselves in the Final Four. They forced Creighton to end their most successful season in program history, at Rec Hall, for they failed to make it past the Elite Eight. The scores for each set were 25-15, 16-25, 25-22, 20-25, and 15-7. It’s easy to say that the Nittany Lions were on fire from the start, totaling 56 kills, seven aces, 63 digs, and 11 blocks in total.

As the two sides, Penn State and Nebraska gear to meet in the national semifinals, it’ll be much more than the teams going against each other. The match would also test the two coaches, John Cook and Katie Schumacher-Cawley, to see whose visionary mentorship proves mightier. However, the two are well aware of each other’s coaching skills, especially John Cook who had praised Coach Schumacher-Cawley’s spirit and fight against cancer, not a long while ago.

However, it’s only normal if all Nebraska Volleyball fans are eyeing this as a chance for revenge! They haven’t forgotten how Penn State was the only team that ended the Huskers’ perfect Big Ten Conference streak this season. They were going as strong as ever with an 18-0 in the league before the Lions grabbed a share of the Big Ten title and crushed them over 4 sets. Do you think they can repeat that or will John Cook’s pupils come well-guarded this time? Guess, we’ll have to wait till Thursday to watch.