2008 NCAA SEMIFINALISTS (31-3, 18-2 Big 12)
HONORS & AWARDS
• AVCA Central Region Coach of the Year
John Cook
• Big 12 Coach of the Year
John Cook
• AVCA All-Americans
Jordan Larson, first team
Sydney Anderson, second team
Tara Mueller, second team
• CoSIDA Academic All-Americans
Amanda Gates, first team
Kori Cooper, first team
Jordan Larson, second team
• NCAA Regional All-Tournament
Tara Mueller, MVP
Sydney Anderson
Lindsey Licht
Jordan Larson
• All-Big 12
Jordan Larson (Player of the Year)
Sydney Anderson, first team
Kori Cooper, first team
Tara Mueller, first team
2008 Big 12 Champion Huskers - (Back row from left): Athletic Trainer Jolene Emricson, Strength Coach Laura Pilakowski, Volunteer Assistant Ryan Walthall, Assistant Coach Erik Sullivan, Kaitlynn
James, Brigette Root, Sydney Anderson, Kayla Banwarth, Rachel Schwartz, Head Coach John Cook, Assistant Coach Lizzy Stemke and Director of Volleyball Operations Lindsay Peterson. (Front row
from left): Tara Mueller, Allison McNeal, Jordan Larson, Lindsey Licht, Brooke Delano, Jordan Wilberger, Kori Cooper, Amanda Gates, Jessica Yanz and Jordan Haverly.
NU Reaches NCAA Semifinals
The Huskers inspired the state, reaching the NCAA
semifinals for the third time in four years. Led by Big
12 Player of the Year Jordan Larson, NU went 31-3
and won a share of the Big 12 title. John Cook was
the Big 12 Coach of the Year. After dropping the
first two sets to Penn State, the Huskers thrilled an
NCAA-record crowd of 17,430 by winning the next
two sets to even the match, marking the only time
that Penn State lost a set all year. NU led 10-8 in
the fifth set, but six unanswered points ended the
Huskers’ NCAA title bid.
NCAA Regional
After opening regional action with a sweep of
Michigan, the Huskers faced Washington for the first
time since the 2005 NCAA title match. The Huskies
won the first two sets before Nebraska fought back
to win the next two sets. The Huskers trailed 9-3
before running off nine straight points, including
eight off the serving of Kayla Banwarth, to take
a three-point lead. Washington pulled even at 13
apiece, but a Husky hitting error and a service ace
from Larson completed the comeback. Tara Mueller
led the way with a career-high 24 kills and 16 digs,
while Larson matched her career best with 21 kills
and added 18 digs.
2008 Season Highlights
• Nebraska tied the NCAA record for most
consecutive home wins with 87, matching the mark
Penn State set between 1995 and 2000.
• The Huskers won 30 matches for the 20th time in
program history and fifth consecutive year.
• Jordan Larson set Nebraska’s school career mark
with 186 career aces, breaking the mark of 161 set
by Val Novak.
2005 NCAA FINALISTS (33-2, 19-1 Big 12)
HONORS & AWARDS
• AVCA National Coach of the Year
John Cook
• Big 12 Coach of the Year
John Cook
• AVCA National Player of the Year
Christina Houghtelling
• AVCA All-Americans
Melissa Elmer, first team
Christina Houghtelling, first team
Sarah Pavan, first team
Jennifer Saleaumua, third team
• NCAA Regional All-Tournament
Christina Houghtelling, MVP
Sarah Pavan
Melissa Elmer
• CoSIDA Academic All-Americans
Sarah Pavan, first team
Christina Houghtelling, first team
• All-Big 12
Sarah Pavan (Player of the Year)
Christina Houghtelling, first team
Melissa Elmer, first team
Jennifer Saleaumua, honorable mention
Jordan Larson, honorable mention
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2005 Big 12 Champion Huskers - (Back row from left): Head Assistant Coach Lee Maes, Assistant Coach Charlene Johnson-Tagaloa, Jordan Larson, Melissa Elmer, Tracy Stalls, Sarah Pavan, Christina
Houghtelling, Dani Mancuso, Amanda Gates, Director of Volleyball Operations Tina Westerhold, Volunteer Assistant Coach Christie Landry and Head Coach John Cook. (Front row from left): Manager Ben Boldt,
Athletic Trainer Jolene Emricson, Rachel Schwartz, Maggie Griffin, Rachel Holloway, Dani Busboom, Jennifer Saleaumua, Meghan Smith, Strength Coach Laura Pilakowski and Student Manager Bill Egbert.
Huskers Play for NCAA Title
The 2005 season &