Brooke Delano Q and A

Huskers.com staff writer Bonnie Ryan sat down with freshman middle blocker Brooke Delano following Saturday's Red/White Scrimmage. Delano, one of five freshmen on the 2007 squad, turned in a solid performance in her first collegiate match, totaling nine kills against a Red squad that featured most of last season's starting lineup. Delano talks about what it was like to play at the Coliseum, her expectations for the season and who was her biggest influence in her volleyball career.

How was it playing in your first match at the Coliseum?
It was nice. I played here twice before for state volleyball in high school, but it was nothing at all like this. 

Did it live up to your expectations?
Definitely. I think I still have expectations for our first home match. I can’t even imagine because the crowd will get more into it. Tonight was great, and I’m looking forward to August 31st.

What effect did the crowd have on your performance tonight?
They were great. It’s just amazing how much support we get from our fans and from everyone in Nebraska.

What was it like to play alongside an Olympian (Nancy Metcalf) tonight?
It was so much fun. She’s such a great person to play with. As a team, we did conditioning and off-season stuff with her this summer, and she just has a way of making you a better person and volleyball player. It’s fun to get to know her.

What has been your goal in summer and in preseason workouts?
Personally, I want to just stay focused. There are a lot of distractions with this being my first year of college. I want to get in there every day and work hard to become a better player. Team-wise, we want to take the best parts of last year’s team and make it into a new team. We want to do new things to make it our own and be the best we can.

What are you most looking forward to this year, both on and off the court?
I want to get to know the girls better. There are some great girls on our team. We have a close relationship now, but I can’t even imagine how much better it will be after a couple more months. With school, I definitely need to focus on my academics and get that done with first.

As a Nebraska native, who was your favorite Husker growing up?
Melissa Elmer. Now I have her number (8), so I have big shoes to fill.

Who influenced your volleyball career most before you came to Lincoln?
Coach Joanne Kappas. She’s a big reason as to why I got started playing volleyball. To this day, I thank her for getting me started. I didn’t play when I was little. I started my club volleyball with Sunset West in my eighth-grade summer going into my freshman year.

What is your favorite Nebraska volleyball memory throughout the program’s history?
Last year’s national championship, definitely.

Which team are you most excited to play this year?
Stanford, if we have the chance to play them, because my best friend, Gabi Ailes, plays for them now.

Which venue are you most looking forward to visiting?
I think Texas is pretty out of control. I’m excited to play in Austin in October.