Brooke Delano is back.
After suffering from appendicitis last November, she's gone through rehab and is at full strength this spring.
Delano was instrumental in the Nebraska volleyball team's win over Hawaii two weeks ago, notching 11 kills and four blocks.
NU coach John Cook is seeing some special things from his sophomore right-side hitter.
"Brooke is probably the one player that has created the most ‘wow,' like we're seeing a new Brooke," Cook said.
Delano said she was shocked her coach held such high praises. She said it's been a struggle because the injury kept her out of practice all winter. She started working out again on Christmas Day, running on the treadmill.
Now she's out there for every spring practice, trying to earn a spot in the Husker lineup. Delano said she's been pleased with her progress but still feels she's not 100 percent physically.
"Since I've been back from surgery, I think I've really pushed, on the court and off the court," she said.
Cook said Nebraska is nowhere close to being in fall season shape, but said this year's spring team is making strides every day.
He gave his players A's in terms of their desire to improve and their attitudes.
But Cook recognizes that this team has a lot to learn, but he said that's normal for this time of year. He gave the Huskers a C plus in terms of being technically and fundamentally sound.
The Nebraska coaching staff is learning too. Cook said they recently decided to switch Delano from middle blocker to right-side hitter. With the change, Delano is playing six rotations and Cook feels this may be her spot in the fall.
With the departure of seniors Jordan Larson, Rachel Schwartz and Amanda Gates, the position of leader is up for grabs.
Because junior Kori Cooper is still out with a knee injury, the Huskers are young on the court and lack a real leader.
Cook said there are several players who are vying for that title, and Delano is right in the mix.
Nebraska has three freshmen who will be taking the court for the first time at the NU Coliseum this Saturday night. Hannah Werth, Megan Pendergast and Allison McNeal will all suit up for their first match against Missouri State University.
If the Coliseum sells out like it usually does, this trio will experience something that only happens once, and Cook is glad to get it out of the way in the spring.
"I think the most nervous they ever get is the first time they play in the Coliseum," he said. "Let's get these young kids through that now."
The match against the Bears is an exhibition but Cook and his staff are looking for a few things. He hopes the fundamentals they've been working on start to take shape. He also wants the Huskers to learn to compete together.
The fall season can be strenuous and Nebraska will need to play great volleyball if it hopes to add on to an impressive 2008 campaign that saw the Huskers reach the National Semifinals against Penn State University.
Cook has high expectations for his players this Saturday night but also for UNL students.
This season, they will enjoy, "The Block," a new student section that's been put into place for home matches. The contest this weekend is free to all UNL students with a valid N-Card.
Cook said some avid Husker fans lost their seats because of "The Block." He wants students to show up and cheer on the Huskers.
The students have been asking for a student section and now that they have it, they need to "walk the talk" and show up, Cook said.
Missouri State qualified for the NCAA Tournament last December and should provide a solid test for NU.
Even though Cook has no seniors in the lineup right now, his success last fall after losing four All-Americans in 2007 has him optimistic about being as good in 2009.
"If I didn't think we could, I wouldn't be working this hard," he said. "This is Nebraska; everybody knows what the expectations are. These players come here because they want those expectations."
jeffstraub@dailynebraskan.com
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