Freshman Mancuso fights for starting position

Gina Mancuso's first kill as a Cornhusker washed over a roaring Coliseum crowd with the familiar call from the PA announcer of a Mancuso kill.

Mancuso's first spike in red and white wasn't simply a good play. The moment resonated inside the Nebraska Coliseum with familiarity both for the freshman and the fans who watched her older sister Dani lead the 2006 Nebraska squad to a National Championship.

"It feels amazing," Mancuso said afterward. "It was so much fun. I love the feel of the crowd and everything."

NU players and coaches say the heart and talent Mancuso displayed throughout Saturday's Red-White scrimmage showed the freshman won't be living in the tracks of her older sister for long.

"Gina's really comfortable with Nebraska volleyball because her sister was here, and she's been around this her whole life," NU coach John Cook said. "She has a chance to be a great player in this program. She does every skill really well."

Cook stopped short of saying the Papillion-LaVista high school standout wasn't anything too special, not yet. However, Mancuso's performance Saturday might have changed that.

When asked if Mancuso's effort in the Red-White scrimmage opened the opportunity for her to skip her redshirt season and make an impact in 2009, Cook said it certainly didn't hurt her chances.

"Yes, that's what I was thinking during the match," Cook said. "She's a good player. I think she's going to be in the mix."

Since fall practice began, Mancuso has been all smiles during hard practices and while building relationships with her teammates.

Cook said he was impressed with the way Mancuso has showed the focus and talent of a future leader and that the signs of her becoming a special player came out in the simulated game situation.

During the team's preseason press conference, Cook said the Cornhuskers showed a love for the game and their love would be an integral part of having a successful season. Mancuso's near-constant smile during practice shows the freshman is on board.

"This is more than I could have imagined," Mancuso said. "I just love this team so much, everyone is friendly and fun. That's really what I'm enjoying most."

During a preseason practice, Mancuso couldn't hide her joy after being called over to work on the starting side of the court.

She said the moment gave her a confidence boost, fighting back a smile. She added that the opportunity to fight for a starting position shows her hard work has begun to pay off, and the support of her teammates has driven that confidence further.

"She has an innocent look," teammate Sydney Anderson said. "She has a really humbled feeling, and you want her to do great. You always want her to succeed and be happy."

Mancuso's passion isn't confined to the game, though. After sharing laughs with teammate Kori Cooper during practice, Mancuso said her transition to the college level has been seamless, largely because of the closeness of the team.

Teammates agree the friendships Mancuso made during the first practices of the season have been what's given the freshman her role on the team

"She always smiles and keeps it light," Cooper said. "We would be a completely different team without her. She brings everybody in. Even though she is a freshman, she has a glue that holds everyone together."

But Mancuso's relationship with Cooper goes deeper than their similar flamboyant personalities.

"I call her my young grasshopper," Cooper said. "I'm the only one who played with the other Mancuso sister as well, so I feel a stronger connection to Gina. She's a free spirit."
Mancuso said the relationships she's built on the team have boosted her talents and helped her develop faster. That development has her in a battle for playing time and even a starting spot to begin the season.

With all the factors in place, all that is left is experiencing the Coliseum with wins and losses on the line.

"I really focused on not being nervous," Mancuso said as she signed autographs after the exhibition game. "I just came out and did my best. Hopefully Coach was pleased, and hopefully I can just continue that on and do whatever I can to help the team."

davehoufek@dailynebraskan.com