VB: Cook wants Husker’s best effort for remainder of season

Organized chaos.
It usually includes Nebraska’s Kayla Banwarth laid flat out on the court with just the tips of her fingers separating the ball from the floor. It relies on Sydney Anderson commanding plays and the chatter of teammates calling the pass and the shots.
Being thrown out of system happens, but the Cornhuskers have worked to stay organized and make the most of the long, grueling rallies they find themselves in every week.
“To be a great team down the stretch and going into the tournament, you’ve got to be great out of system, and you’ve got to be a great defensive team,” NU volleyball coach John Cook said. “That’s something teams can’t prepare for.”
After Wednesday’s sweep of Baylor, Cook said his team has yet to transfer all of its proficiency in practice to matches. The Huskers have shown in drills that they can be great out of system, Cook said, but Wednesday wasn’t their best effort on the court.
The team’s cohesiveness and communication was evident during the first two sets when it seemed like every long rally went Nebraska’s way. But Cook’s eye for perfection stayed focused on the things his team still needs to work on and Nebraska’s drop-off in the final set.
“Tonight we put pressure on Baylor,” Cook said. “But we could have really put pressure on them if we had been a little better at that.”
Even though Banwarth said a large part of the team’s improvement during the scrambles has been because of communication, her school and building record of 32 digs in a three set match didn’t hurt in Nebraska’s effort against Baylor.
Baylor’s Big 12 Conference-leading server in Taylor Barnes couldn’t get an ace all night. That was the trend for the entire Baylor team as Banwarth, and NU’s defense were able to dig serve after serve.
“Kayla dominated the court,” Cook said.
Banwarth’s record played a key role during long rallies against the Bears because she continually hit the court and kept plays alive.
“They kept hitting the ball at me, and I just did what I could to get it up in the air.” Banwarth said.
The impact of his libero’s night was a huge benefit, both mentally and strategically for his team, Cook said. It just so happened to have the opposite effect on Baylor.
“We’ve taken time to work on it in practice,” Banwarth said. “All the communication problems that we may have had in the beginning of the season, we’ve worked out.”
With athleticism being key part of the Nebraska’s identity this season, Cook said staying alive during scrambles and playing good defense will be a determining factor in his team’s post-season run.
“That’s what got last year’s team to the final four,” Cook said.
davehoufek@dailynebraskan.com

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