Banwarth steps up leadership for NU volleyball team

When asked at a press conference Tuesday who would start for the third-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, coach John Cook had only one name to reveal; libero Kayla Banwarth.

"I went home that night after the match, and I was talking to my wife and she said, ‘Man, I think Kayla is the best libero I have ever seen,'" Cook said. "I think she is the one player that can really be solid for us," Cook said.

The news came as a complete shock to Banwarth.

"Wow, that's an honor," Banwarth said. "There are so many great athletes on this team who just come out and compete every day, and to have that happen is just special for me."

But along with the honor, Banwarth said being named the lone NU starter comes with a greater responsibility to step up as a leader.

"It's my third year here, and each year I'm trying to be more of a leader for my team," Banwarth said. "Since there is only one senior on this team, I feel like I'm one of the ones who have to step up into a big leadership role. I have really been working for that, and I hope my teammates see that."

The Huskers will certainly be looking for some veteran leadership. Of the 16 women on the team, only six are upperclassmen.

"I think she has gone to another level," Cook said. "With that comes the responsibility of being a leader out there, and I see that happening."

Banwarth plans to lead by example. She says her goal is to go out to practice every day, work hard and be a leader, and she hopes her fellow teammates will see that and work just as hard.

Being named the first starter on a high-caliber team carries enough pressure, but Banwarth must also overcome the nerve-racking task of being the defensive backbone of the Huskers at the libero position.

"I get a little nervous at times," Banwarth said. "Honestly, it's my teammates that get me through those pressure situations because I know that they have faith in me and trust me. My teammates are my rock. They're the ones who keep me strong, and we keep each other strong."

Banwarth posted some impressive numbers last year as a sophomore, some of the best from an NU libero in recent years. The Dubuque, Iowa, native averaged 4.12 digs, good for third best in the Big 12 conference.

After a stellar sophomore season, Banwarth said she still has improvements to make. She has set a goal to improve her passing to where she's hitting a 2.7 on a three-point scale.

"Physically I want to improve my passing. That's something I have always prided myself on," said Banwarth. "I don't think my defense was as good as my passing was last year, so that's something I am working on."

Her team goal was much simpler.

As a team leader, Banwarth is hoping she can use her position of influence to help the Huskers end up where they want to be come December.

"Obviously, I have two years left to win a national championship, and that's what everyone here is gonna work for," Banwarth said. "That's the ultimate goal for all of us."

Jayb.Sloan@dailynebraskan.com