“Nebraska: The State of Volleyball”
By Lincoln Journal Star.
Lincoln Journal Star Books, Lincoln, Neb., 2009, 111 pages, Grades 7-11.
Volleyball is an exciting sport played throughout the world. Though there are great men’s teams, women’s volleyball in particular has grown exponentially in the last 20 years. It is becoming the go-to sport for young girls in many parts of the United States.
Nowhere is this phenomenon seen on such a massive scale as the state of Nebraska. Throughout the state, girls’ teams have been formed, beginning in elementary school. This has produced an excitement for volleyball that is unmatched in most states. On a collegiate level, Nebraska teams such as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Creighton and the University of Nebraska Omaha dominate their conferences. The same is true with smaller colleges and universities like Concordia University and Wayne State.
Where does all this passion come from? Why did this love for volleyball lead to 92,003 fans watching volleyball matches this August in Memorial Stadium? This was the largest women’s sporting event ever witnessed in history. The Lincoln Journal Star has collected a series of famous newspaper columns and exciting photographs about the development of the University of Nebraska volleyball program. The name of this interesting book is “Nebraska: The State of Volleyball.”
With the Husker volleyball games being broadcast on the Big Ten network, it might be easy to forget the humble beginnings of the sport in Nebraska. Terry Pettit, coach of the Huskers from 1977-1999, led the team to its first national title in 1995. Additionally, he coached the Huskers to two national runner-up finishes and numerous conference championships. The Journal Star has culled its sports departments for the columns about these victories. The articles are published verbatim with exciting photos of winning shots and spectacular play of stars like Jordan Larson. The pictures show the ferocity of play during the matches. The overhead slams make you want to duck when you are reading the book.
With Pettit’s retirement, the current coach, John Cook moves into the story. Taking a fine championship program, Cook continues to build the juggernaut that is today’s team.
The book describes the remarkable depth of community support the Huskers receive throughout the state. Little girls are interviewed and tell of their desire to imitate their heroes on the Husker team. What a powerful and positive story. Coach Cook is quoted repeatedly, complimenting the people of Nebraska for being so supportive of the volleyball program.
When you get finished with the book, it is easy to see why women’s volleyball in Nebraska has the pull it does on Nebraska fans. As the writers of the Journal Star also point out, virtually every woman playing for Nebraska graduates from college. Remarkable.
Since the publication date is 2009, an updated edition would be useful. But if you are looking for a book that tells the history of women’s volleyball in Nebraska, this is for you. The writing is first rate and the photos are exciting. I hope you get a chance to read this informative book.
