Huskers Battle Hawkeyes Wednesday Night
Hunter, Amber Rolfzen Win Big Ten Awards
Wong-Orantes Sets NU Career Digs Record
Randy York’s N-Sider
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Last weekend, Nebraska volleyball fans watched Justine Wong-Orantes become the Huskers’ career record holder in digs. It was a signature moment for two reasons: 1) the feat was earned against an iconic opponent – Penn State; and 2) Nebraska Coach John Cook’s heart skipped a few beats watching his starting libero cover 40 yards on a single play on the same day that she was cleared to compete after suffering a mild concussion.
That happens when two legendary college volleyball coaches and programs compete in a 2-hour and 45-minute, five-set marathon match that was televised nationally on the Big Ten Network. “There was a celebration,” Cook said about his top-ranked Huskers honoring Wong-Orantes in a victorious locker room. “They were happy that Justine broke the record. That was a big deal. She had missed a match, and our players were really excited she was back.”
The bad news was how relentless the Cypress, California, libero played in her return to the court.
“I don’t know if you guys saw the play, but Justine ran a long way,” Cook said. “You can run 40 yards on one play in that gym.” That explains why the Huskers train running 40-yard dashes before they play at Penn State. “Since you can run that far and still play a ball, Justine went over there and hit the ground and I’m thinking ‘oh, great, here we go again,’” Cook said. “I told her today that ‘you need to be smart because you’re not getting any younger.’”
Wong-Orantes Breaks Olympic Libero Banwarth's School Record for Digs
The quip elicited a few chuckles at Monday’s press conference, three days after Wong-Orantes’ customary hustle produced 23 digs, allowing her to become Nebraska’s newest career record holder. Wong-Orantes surpassed Kayla Banwarth's career total of 1,706 digs with her 16th of the match, which came midway through the third set. Digging was thematic last Friday night with Huskers Kenzie Maloney adding a career-high 17 digs and Kadie Rolfzen also contributing a season-high 17 digs.
Becoming Nebraska’s career record holder for digs is a “very tough” mountain to climb. “It’s an incredible accomplishment, especially who she beat out…Kayla,” Cook said. “I don’t know how to compare it but that’s an epic record to get. Justine has to feel pretty good about that. It’s a good testament to how good of a player she is. Passing up Kayla is pretty significant.”
Wong-Orantes’ continuous hustle is a contrast to her nature. “Justine just chills,” Cook said. “She never wavers too much. She just cruises along. I’m sure she feels really good about it. We were most happy that she was able to play. She didn’t get released until Friday morning. I didn’t know if she would be able to play that night.”
Cook Says Senior Libero Wong-Orantes Will Be Invited to Play on U.S. Team
Cook said Nebraska’s senior libero will be invited to play on the U.S. National Team in May. “She will get a shot,” he said. “Based on last year, she was on that USA B team that replaced our national team while they were getting ready for the Olympics in Mexico. She was the starting libero on that team.”
Nebraska’s four-year libero starter has “a really good shot to make the (Olympic) team if that’s what she wants,” Cook said. “Justine is obviously a great libero. She wants to be a coach, too, so she’ll stay involved in the sport.”
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