For the first time in three years, the Nebraska volleyball team will enter a season without an All-American, without a veteran go-to player on offense, and without the automatic confidence that goes along with a roster full of players who own national championship rings.
The Huskers will, however, begin 2003 with a new setter, at least three new starters, and something to prove.
Indeed, question marks abound as Nebraska enters a new era in its storied program after the loss of three All-Americans. NU will be without its three-year nucleus of setter Greichaly Cepero, middle blocker Amber Holmquist, outside hitter Laura Pilakowski and libero Lindsay Wischmeier, all of whom are considered among the best in school history at their respective positions.
But NU Head Coach John Cook believes the young Huskers will rise to the challenge.
"If you are going to compete for the Big 12 and national championships," Cook said, "you have to do it as a team, and that is what we