Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook, Players Speak After Sweeping Wisconsin in

Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook, libero Lexi Rodriguez, and out of doors hitter Harper Murray met with the media after the Huskers swept Wisconsin Sunday afternoon on the Bob Devaney Sports Center. NU is now off to Louisville for the NCAA Semifinals Thursday with the championship on Sunday.

Watch the total postgame look above. Keep scrolling to learn quotes offered by Nebraska Athletics.

Cook Opening Statement 

“First of all, I believe this is likely one of the hardest regional finals we’ve ever had due to Wisconsin. They are an outstanding staff, they’ve acquired nice gamers, they’re very properly coached. We needed to play our perfect match of the 12 months to win this match in the present day. So a lot respect for the Badgers and I requested our staff, I advised them that we have been going to have to essentially max it out in the present day they usually responded and did an amazing job. Even although just a few occasions it wasn’t going very well, they only stayed with it and located methods to win. The different factor is, I requested our crowd to will us, and I’m undecided I’ve heard the Devaney this loud for this lengthy each level, so because of our crowd they have been unbelievable in the present day. 

Cook on followers touring to Louisville 

“I believe everybody had already booked tickets as a result of I heard from everyone ‘I’ve acquired my tickets so see you in Louisville.’ I do not assume anybody new goes, I believe they already did that a very long time in the past, I imply it’s offered out. One of our themes for this 12 months is race for the roses it is on our poster, it is on our shirts and our objective is to get again to Louisville for the third time. We’ve already been there twice.” 

Cook on Taylor Landfair’s match in the present day

“Well, she was matched up on Anna (Smrek) and Charlie (Fuerbringer) however yesterday in apply I attempted to instill in her thoughts that she was going to need to go excessive and exhausting and she or he did that in the present day, she acquired some massive kills for us on some robust units, so actually completely happy for her as a result of she hasn’t been to a closing 4 but, she’s completed so much so I’m positive it is a massive second for her.”

Cook on the protection

“The effort on either side was unimaginable. Both groups have been laying out, making unreal performs. I blow the whistle in apply after I assume the ball is down. I’d have blown the whistle a number of occasions in the present day considering the ball was down. Next factor you recognize, it’s up. When they’ve hitters like that, it’s a must to dig balls, since you’re not going to dam these guys on a regular basis. Our pursuit – Harper (Murray) went into the group a pair occasions, I wished to problem that one. I don’t get that rule. Our staff had large effort on protection in the present day.”

Cook on this ending for the senior class at Devaney

“Merritt (Beason) is undefeated right here. There was a whole lot of strain on us. This is the third time we have been enjoying these guys, we’re those which might be at residence and will win. Our seniors helped run this staff and lead this staff they usually did a heck of a job. I already advised each Lexi (Rodriguez) and Merritt that that is their staff they usually willed them to a win.”

Cook on how the staff matched up towards Wisconsin this 12 months

“On paper it’s exhausting to match up with them however Harper (Murray) principally for 9 video games was blocking Anna (Smrek) for 9 video games, three rotations for 9 video games, as a result of we had the identical matchups. You can take a look at the dimensions distinction. She acquired her kills, however Harper touched her a few occasions, acquired a block. They are an amazing serving staff. We are an amazing passing staff. You noticed how they began off. They broke us down instantly. Then we settled down and handed them very well. I believed our serving began stressing them. They are additionally an excellent passing staff, however we began breaking them down because the match went on. But it’s heavy weights. This is a slugfest, lengthy rallies. It’s exhausting to place the ball away. You acquired this massive block you’re coping with on a regular basis. It’s a heavyweight struggle. It was like (Muhammad) Ali vs. (Joe) Frazier  Round Three.”

Cook on Louisville and Dani Busboom Kelly making the Final Four at residence  

“They have been virtually eradicated final week they usually performed unreal yesterday. We’ve completed {that a} couple occasions, there’s a lot strain once you’re internet hosting. It might be suffocating. It is absolutely exhausting, although you’re internet hosting, figuring out everyone expects you to get there. She’s completed a heck of a job with that staff they usually performed phenomenal yesterday.”

Cook on if there’s a choice for Thursday’s opponent

“No. Nope. We’re going to have fun in the present day and fear about that tomorrow.”

Cook on if he’s going to have fun by watching the sport tonight

“I don’t know, perhaps. Yellowstone is on. It’s the season finale. I’m going to see if Tom Shatel is a prophet as a result of he advised me the way it was going to finish.”

Cook on Laney (Choboy) diving into him

“I used to be prepared as a result of I knew she was going, I used to be going to take the hit and never let her hit, as a result of it was proper there within the nook of the scores desk, so I’m like I’m not letting her hit this factor. I took the hit, I used to be prepared.” 

Cook on Kennedi Orr

“I wish to echo that there’s a nice story with Kennedi and her function. She’s been right here and she or he’s discovered a approach to assist this staff win. She got here in in the present day and I do know we scored essentially the most factors in her rotation. That’s an amazing story and that’s why we name her a recreation changer.”

Cook on the expectation to get to the ultimate 4 and his feeling

“This one is pleasure as a result of I understand how good Wisconsin is. This is a very robust matchup, seed-wise, and it’s to go to the Final Four. They’ve been there what number of occasions? The final 7 out of 10? Last 10 years? I don’t know, some loopy quantity. Like I mentioned, these are two heavyweights and two groups that deserve and are adequate to be within the Final Four.”

Murray on getting the MVP of the area

“It means so much, however I believe I owe all of it to my teammates and the coaches, as a result of I wouldn’t be right here if it weren’t for them. I’m simply actually grateful that I’m concerned in a program like this and I don’t know the place I’d be with out this complete workers and our complete staff. It means so much, however I wouldn’t be right here with out them.”

Murray on the objective of attending to Louisville 

“The expectation right here is to make it to a National Championship. With that comes a whole lot of strain, however on the identical time we like to inform one another that we’re enjoying for one another. I believe that’s what retains us balanced and calm as a result of we’re all the time going to have strain once you play in a program like this, however I believe it’s about simply enjoying for one another and never listening to exterior noise as a result of it’s an expectation right here and we all know that however it’s nonetheless a whole lot of strain. Just staying centered on us and never what’s round us.”  

Murray on what the staff’s recreation changer was in the present day

“At first, I believe we weren’t serving them robust sufficient. Throughout the second and third units, we acquired into that extra. I additionally assume at some factors, we might have cleaned it up somewhat bit. I wish to give credit score to Kennedi (Orr). Coach gave her credit score within the locker room. She is available in and she or he does her job completely. I believe we actually feed off of her vitality and her presence, so I wish to give a whole lot of credit score to her for that. Other than that, I believe serving was an enormous issue.”

Rodriguez on the sensation of taking a big lead within the second set

“It’s form of only a circulate state. Everything is form of going our approach. After that first set was forwards and backwards, an in depth two-point recreation that we needed to battle out, I knew going into the second set that we have been going to come back out with much more urgency, which is precisely what we did. We have been simply on a roll. It was superior.”

Rodriguez on the final lap round Devaney

“It was positively emotional. It positively doesn’t really feel actual that that was my final recreation in Devaney. Like you mentioned, there’s no higher technique to exit. It was giving somewhat little bit of appreciation for the Devaney Center and for all of the followers for serving to us get so far and serving to us get to the following stage. That’s considered one of my favourite elements of the entire 12 months, is attending to go round and have fun with all of them.”

Rodriguez on the objective of attending to Louisville 

“From the start of the 12 months it was positively one thing we needed to form of problem ourselves with and discovering a technique to let go of final 12 months and let go of all of the pressures and simply have a clear slate. Obviously we’ve had a objective to get again to the Final Four. We achieved that objective however the job’s not completed. I believe simply having that very same mentality of the following level, the following match, taking what’s proper in entrance of us and simply going with that can assist us so much.”