Nebraska volleyball head coach John Cook, libero Kenzie Knuckles and setter Nicklin Hames spoke to media on Wednesday and all had the same excitement about the Red/White Scrimmage on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Center.
This will mark the first time Nebraska volleyball fans have been able to gather since the 2019 season. It will also be the first time this year's freshman and also last year's newcomers play in front of fans.
This edition of Digs will also cover Saturday's lineup and festivities, the freshman's impact in practice and how the veterans are lifting up and building chemistry with the new class.
**** Cook said Nebraska fans will be able to interact with Husker volleyball players before and during the scrimmage on Saturday. He said his players will be masked up but excited to interact with fans in Devaney again.
"We are going to have an unbelievable poster that is really cool," he said. "I'm want to get one framed in my office. It's the most creative poster we've ever done."
**** He is not sure how the teams will look on Saturday because the competition is so tight that he won't be able to pick the starting six players. Cook said he might either make the teams even or attempt at creating a lineup.
**** Cook said the competition at practice has been extremely intense and that is what he's been most impressed about during these first practices.
"We're playing all gas no break," he said. "It's been every day, 6-on-6 drills, they are playing really, really hard."
**** Freshman outside hitter Lindsay Krause was awarded the 'edmf' belt by volunteer assistant coach Kelly Hunter and the managers due to her effort and production during the first week of practice.
"I told her, you know how big of a deal that is for a freshman to get that week one," Cook said. "That's a really big honor and she agreed.
"We make that belt pretty special. It's a heavy belt. The first time they grab it their like 'man, I didn't know this thing was so heavy.' We want it to be heavy because it means a lot."
**** Cook compared Freshman defensive specialist Lexi Rodriguez to former Husker volleyball player and recent Olympic gold medalist Justine Wong-Orantes.
"She's an exceptional first contact player, passing or defense," Cook said. "She reminds me a lot of Justine. They just have a sixth sense, that's the only way I can explain it. They are where the ball is hit and they just have a great touch on the ball."
**** Every position is open with middle blocker Lauren Stivrins still not playing due to injury, according to Cook. He added that Hames, the only solidified starting player, pushes herself to be better.
Sophomore setter Anni Evans and freshman setter Kennedi Orr are not quite there yet.
**** Orr injured her right knee during her club volleyball season last year but is healing well. Cook said she will be playing during the Red/White scrimmage. She is participating in 90 percent of practice, Cook said.
**** Captains will be decided on Thursday night according to Cook. The players will have a lot of input but will have to be able to explain their reasoning. Captains will be announced by Saturday.
**** The freshman stayed later after practice on Wednesday to work on their serving on their own account.
"They make a lot of errors but they're going for it," he said. "We want them to be aggressive right now and then continue to refine the errors. It's typically for this time of year.
"The best six servers play."
**** Cook said he wants to use the Red/White scrimmage atmosphere to help get the players that haven't played in a full Devaney acclimated to the crowd but games begin.
"I want them to see what this team is capable of doing and I think it's going to be some really exciting volleyball. That's what I'm most fired up about," Cook said. "My big thing is I'm going to try to get our fans to make this a home game where there's cheering for both teams.
**** Libero Kenzie Knuckles said last season's ending left a bitter taste in her mouth. She said her and her teammates felt like they didn't play as well as they could have and have a chip on their shoulder this season because of that.
The returning players have started to discuss the disappointing end to their 2020 season and Knuckles said she thinks that'll motivate them even more.
**** Knuckles echoed Cook and said the "competition is through the roof this year," and said she believes this year's team is more talented than last season.
**** As a two-year starter at libero, Knuckles has been battling sophomore Keonilei Akana and freshman Lexi Rodriguez who have been pushing her to play her best. Knuckles said her, Akana and Rodriguez have a good awareness of each other on the court and work well together.
**** Rodriguez is more confident and vocal since enrolling early in the spring, Knuckles said.
"We do a lot of competing drills where you have to get at it with your teammates and I think she's talking a lot more and I like that out of her," Knuckles said. "I like that firey side."
**** Knuckles said because the freshman class were close and had already built trust and friendship with one another, that it was potentially easier for them to find into the team as a whole and become comfortable.
"We are tremendously close," Knuckles said.
**** Setter Nicklin Hames has four new hitters to build chemistry with on the court.
"We have really great communication during practice and off the court and it's made setting them a lot easier when we have that communication," Hames said.
**** When asked which freshman has impressed her the most, Hames instantly said 'Lindsay'. She added that all of the freshmen have brought a lot to the gym as well but Lindsay has been the most impressive to her.
"She gets on the ball so fast," Hames said. "She hits the ball so hard. Sometimes she hits it and I'm like 'wow!"
**** Hames said she has been really enjoying the new intense competition in practice.
"I feel like I'm a pretty competitive person and so when I play with other competitive people, I feel like my level rises and I really enjoy it," she said.
**** Hames recognizes the perks of getting the freshman more comfortable in a rowdy environment like Devaney during the scrimmage on Saturday. Cook and the older players know how crazy it can be but the freshman and sophomore have yet to play in front of such a crowd.
"15 days until the freshman pee on the floor," Cook sent Hames in a text.
**** With the Red/White scrimmage approaching, Hames can't help but think about the electric crowd at Devaney.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience running out into Devaney and hearing everyone cheer for you," Hames said. "It's insane to see all the people there and no matter what time it is, what day it is, it's filled, it's packed. It's insane to me.
