After suffering a season-ending knee injury weeks before the NCAA Tournament, Kori Cooper was forced to utilize another talent to help propel her fellow Cornhuskers to a surprising semifinal run: vocal leadership.
Cooper doesn't plan on quieting her vocal presence as she makes her way back onto the court in 2009 for her final season.
"It was a different role as far as not playing," Cooper said. "As far as leadership goes, I think it will be very similar."
As NU's lone senior, Cooper's leadership will affect more than just the outcome of her final season. With five freshmen and two more redshirt freshmen on the team, Cooper's example is being studied by her younger peers and honored by her coaches.
NU coach John Cook said in addition to Cooper, Sydney Anderson, Kayla Banwarth and Tara Mueller emerged as the leaders of the team in the offseason.
"They set the tone," Cook said. "The energy is awesome to me. That all is a reflection of the leadership of those older kids and what they're providing - the foundation, the mentality and what they want this team to be."
Cook praised the dedication of his team, which he said was displayed by his Huskers not being late to a single summer workout. That commitment has been inspired by the leadership of Cooper and the emotional tournament run to end the 2008-2009 season.
"These guys are gym rats," Cook said. "They love the gym, they love practice, they have great passion for the sport of volleyball and that's contagious.
"For an old coach like me, you love players that love the game," he said. "It's inspiring, and it's fun to be around players that love it."
The dedication and excitement shown by the team so far in fall camp is undoubtedly linked to last season, said Mueller and freshman outside hitter Gina Mancuso.
Because she played a large role in that emotional charge, Cooper was named co-captain along with Anderson.
Returning from injury, though, is something Cooper admits will be challenging she solidifies her position and her comfort on the court.
Cooper was quick to say, though, that no position is guaranteed. With a roster full of young talent, the challenge is well-received by the senior.
"There's a sense of urgency." Cooper said. "We have people competing at every spot, and having depth like that is reassuring. Everyone has to compete, so that means everybody has to do their best every day."
Staying healthy will be a key for Cooper this fall. Her hope to regain a physical edge is signified by one of Cook's offseason tools created to inspire and motivate.
As each player chose three goals or skills they wanted to improve, they wrote those goals on rocks at the beginning of the summer and carried them everywhere they went.
Cooper's rocks read: stamina, strength and lower-body and core strength.
"I've got the support of my teammates and the coaching staff and training staff," Cooper said. "I know that they trust me and that they're there to help me. It's been a long road, but I'm really looking forward to getting back on the court."
davehoufek@dailynebraskan.com
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