It’s official! The Nebraska Huskers are through to the next leg of the tournament— their 40th NCAA Regional appearance ever and the team couldn’t be happier. A second back-to-back Big Ten title in two years and now a steady climb on the NCAA charts, what more can the Big Reds wish for in John Cook’s silver jubilee season as the team’s head coach?

As volleyball fans, we were lost for words watching Nebraska shut down Miami— limiting them to their lowest hitting percentage of the season. But when you ask Coach Cook, this is just one of many things he’s proud of. In the post-match press conference, he revealed another ace quality that the Huskers have maintained this season while also naming the TCU opponent who’s raising the bar for volleyball players everywhere.

John Cook praises Melanie Parra

While answering a reporter in a press conference after their 43rd straight win at the Bob Devaney Center, John Cook shed light on how the Huskers girls have been impeccable with handling the jump serves this season. He said, “But I mean, we’ve been really good at passing jump serves this year. I mean, nobody’s really, everybody kind of goes away from it. But we started day one in August 5th, we started passing jump serves.”

Why did the Huskers adopt this strategy? Well, because these kinds of serves have become deeply ingrained in college volleyball games. John Cook remarked, “Because you’re starting to see so much more of it in college volleyball this year. Everybody seems like they have a jump serve.” Naturally, this is why the Big Reds had to up their game too.

But when the reporter asked Cook, why this sudden shift in the pattern, he cited a budding star who may have driven the change. “I don’t know. I don’t know. It’s when it works, it’s great. And I just think maybe they’re watching teams internationally. Yeah, I don’t know. But Melanie Parra, I think, has been one of the reasons.” Having cited the TCU star, John Cook explained, “Because I don’t know how good her jump serve is in December, but it was really good in September when they’re fresh.”

Yes, as coach John Cook right appreciates, Melanie Parra is indeed one of the finest jump servers across the college landscape. And many veterans agree with this. In fact, back when she played for the University of Texas, even Jerritt Elliott, head coach of the Longhorn volleyball program, was singing her praises on this. ” You cannot duplicate it; nobody else can really do it. It’s a huge weapon that, when it’s going, it’s unique. It’s a piece of art,” he said, about her jump serves.

Well, the way she uses her impeccable hand-eye coordination and nails the hybrid serve with a jump floater and a unique topspin is indeed exceptional. But that’s not the only thing she’s good at. Here’ more about the TCU star who had coach Cook giving credit where it’s due.

Melanie Parra, the TCU star that Coach Cook named

For those who aren’t aware of this young gun, Melanie Parra is a senior at Texas Christian University, who made waves when she traded from the Longhorns to the Horned Frogs not long ago. And now, she’s sprung into the limelight again as none other than coach John Cook is praising her high-velocity shots. And why not? She’s indeed having a season to remember.

Just in September, Parra made history when she got named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for the third consecutive time. To top it off, she was crowned National Player of the Week twice, back-to-back. Well, no other player has done this for TCU ever before. No wonder why Coach John Cook remembered her serv

Recently, her current head coach at TCU, Jason Williams threw his support behind her, calling her a “program change” for them. When you need a point, go to Melanie Parra they say! But alas, we’ll not get to watch her in the collegiate space anymore. Defeated by the Oregon Ducks, TCU was knocked out of the NCAA tournament in the second round.

Nonetheless, in what happened to be the final game of her collegiate career, Melanie Parra led the way with 18 kills, 10 digs, and three aces. Well, we can say, she did not go down without a last fight! What do you have to say about this star athlete? Let us know below!