Earlier this month, John Cook had a heartfelt ask for Nebraska volleyball’s loyal fans. The Huskers were eager to clinch the first national championship since 2017 after seven years of struggle. Last season’s heartbreak, where they fell to the Texas Longhorns in the finals, still lingers. With five seniors set to bid farewell at the end of this season, Coach Cook wanted to end this chapter with a happy ending, and he knew the fans could help. He encouraged them to bring the noise, the passion, and that wonderful Husker spirit to his team to help them win the championship.

Fast forward to this Sunday, and oh, did Husker Nation answer the call! The Nebraska volleyball team advanced to the NCAA Semifinals after a decisive 3-0 set win against the No. 7 Wisconsin team. Bob Devaney Sports Center roared with 8,743 fans who brought their A-game, pushing Nebraska to clutch a nail-biting first set at 26-24 before dominating the second at 25-17. When Wisconsin attempted to turn the tables in the third set with a 15-11 lead, the Huskers stormed back like true warriors to take the set 25-21. John Cook, after the match, could only speak highly of the fans, thanking them for meeting his only demand and providing his team with the morale boost necessary to continue the battle.

John Cook’s will gets fulfilled!

In the post-game glow of Nebraska’s stunning win, John Cook couldn’t help but gush about the electric atmosphere at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in a video shared by ‘Inside Nebraska’ on YouTube. Beaming with pride, he shared, “I asked our crowd to will us. I’m not sure I’ve heard the Devaney this loud for this long, every point, and um, so, thanks to our crowd, they were unbelievable today.” And honestly, you could almost feel the floor shake from the sheer passion pouring in from the stands.

When a journalist pressed him about fans scrambling to make travel arrangements, John Cook grinned knowingly. “I think everybody’s already booked tickets,” he said with a chuckle. “I hear from everybody. I got my tickets to see you in Louisville. I don’t think anybody knew it was going. I think they already did that a long time ago. It sold out. One of our themes this year is ‘Race for the Roses.’ It’s on our poster. We have shirts. Our goal was to get back to Louisville for the third time. We’ve already been there twice.” The way Coach Cook sees it, this isn’t just a trip but a mission. And Husker Nation? Well, they’ve been strapped in for this ride since day one.

The Huskers swept the Badgers in all three showdowns this season and clinched their spot in the NCAA Semifinals for the second year in a row. This will be their seventh time in the past decade and an incredible 18th in program history. John Cook has led Nebraska to this stage 12 times in 25 seasons, and that’s the beauty and resilience of Husker volleyball. However, this game was not only the ticket to the semifinals for the Huskers but also how they conquered the rival in style!

Huskers and Badgers: The iconic rivalry!

Back in 2021, Nebraska and Wisconsin gave the nation a memorable volleyball match in the national championship. The Badgers claimed their first-ever title in a very tight five-set match, while the Huskers came close to winning their sixth title. A record-breaking crowd of 18,755 packed the arena that night, proving volleyball’s star power was on the rise. That unforgettable clash didn’t just ignite a fierce rivalry but also ‘sold’ the sport as well in the sense that many who had sporadically watched games became hard-core fans. Sure, Texas has been bringing home the last two NCAA crowns, but it’s John Cook’s Nebraska and Wisconsin who have been thrilling the fans and fueling the sport’s rapid expansion.

As for today, the rivalry has been preserved in its original kind. The Huskers and the Badgers, both belonging to the same division, met in the elite eight after easing through their respective Sweet 16 matches. Fans were eagerly waiting for the rematch. “This is clearly not just any other game to these players and the fans. It’s a lot deeper than that,” Emily Ehman explained, capturing the passion behind every set. The Nebraska team had defeated Wisconsin twice in the regular season, but, as any volleyball fan is aware, toppling the same team three times is never easy.

Holly McPeak weighed in, saying, “Nebraska has been pretty dominant in their wins so far. But can Wisconsin make some adjustments and play at a better level? I think they can. But I don’t know if they can beat Nebraska. That’s a big ask.” But Nebraska’s magic is not limited to the court. As it encompasses the full stands and record-breaking viewership they create wherever they go. “It’s amazing what Nebraska does,” McPeak added. And once again, John Cook’s Huskers did not disappoint their fans as they defeated their rivals to book their place in the NCAA Semifinals.