Delano's versatility creates leader on volleyball team

The 2009 Cornhuskers have been searching for leadership on the court. They're getting it from Brooke Delano.

Securing a spot in Nebraska's rotation as a middle blocker has taken the sophomore along an unlikely path.

Delano learned to play three different positions in the last year: outside hitter, right-side hitter and middle blocker. However, her openness to swapping positions has told more about her personality than her athletic abilities.

"It's the definition of a team player," NU assistant coach Eric Sullivan said. "For us, it's been great to use her to fill out needs. As a player, that's not the easiest thing to do. She's been open to it and she's worked her tail off to do it."

Learning the different positions is something Delano said wasn't hard at the time, but making adjustments to her game while becoming a middle blocker full-time brought on frustrations.

Head coach John Cook said it has been important to get Delano on the court in whatever way possible, because he believes she is one of his six best players.

Working through the adversity, Delano now has an added court awareness and knowledge of the game. The biggest advantage, though, has been the multiple shots she has gained from her outside hitting days.
"It gives her a different perspective," Sullivan said. "Volleyball is a very specialized sport. When you get into your position, you can just think about what you're doing there. But when you have to perform in different positions, you've got to learn to have a bigger range on the outsides. It's helped her in the middle for sure."

Delano's time at middle blocker has her leading the team with a hitting percentage of .346 on the season. Delano's 94 kills on the year is the most by a Husker that does not play outside hitter, and the sophomore has twice as many kills as the next closest Husker behind her.
Her experience at the hitter positions has opened the door for Delano to call shots. She said she understands what her teammates on the outside are going through during a game.
"If (our outside hitters) get the set out, maybe I've had those shots or hit them before," Delano said. "I'm able to talk to my teammates and tell them what they have and they don't have."

Having her shots called from a middle blocker is something Werth said was a surprise at first, but the advice has been well taken.

"You're like, wow," Werth said, "You're really surprised she's calling it for you. You just trust her and things happen."

Delano's confidence to call shots from the middle this season has been overshadowed by the plays she's made to end games and matches.
Her ability to consistently put games away at the end has gained her respect and trust among her teammates.

"I'm sure that every person in that locker room wants the ball when the game is on the line," Werth said. "As a middle, it's really a bold thing for her to say. It gives her teammates a lot of trust in her."

That trust, and the opportunity to make the plays that comes with it, have only fed Delano's desire to be a finisher and a leader.
"I'm a very intense player," Delano said. "I want to be in there and compete when its 24-24. I don't care if the pass is good or bad, I want the ball."