Huskers sweep Big 12 volleyball honors

By Lincoln Journal Star
Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008 - 10:49:56 am CST

Nebraska shared the Big 12 volleyball title with Texas, but the league’s top individual honor went solely to the Huskers’ Jordan Larson.

A four-time All-Big 12 selection, the Logan View High School graduate was named the league’s player of the year Monday, edging Destinee Hooker of Texas.

Larson, who ranks among the Big 12 leaders in points, kills, aces and digs this season, was also named the league’s defensive player of the year for the second time in her career.

Teammate Sydney Anderson was named the league’s top newcomer and John Cook earned coach of the year honors for the third time in his nine years after Nebraska claimed a fifth straight Big 12 title.

Texas was the near-unanimous pick to win the conference in a preseason vote of league coaches.

The 14-player all-conference team includes four players each from Nebraska and Texas.

Among Huskers, Larson was joined by All-Big 12 first-timers Anderson, sophomore Tara Mueller and junior Kori Cooper.

Mueller earned her first All-Big 12 award as she ranked sixth in the league in both kills (3.53) and points (3.99) per set. The sophomore from Scottsdale, Ariz., led the Huskers in kills 12 times.

Cooper averaged 2.09 kills and 0.88 blocks per set as middle blocker. She is second in the Big 12 and 15th nationally in hitting percentage (.396).

Nebraska senior Amanda Gates was recognized as an honorable-mention selection.

Nebraska opens play in the NCAA tournament at home Friday against Liberty.

ALL-BIG 12 TEAM

Taylor Barnes, Baylor, S, Jr., Arlington, Texas

Anna Breyfogle, Baylor, MB, Jr., Buda, Texas

Victoria Henson, Iowa State, OH, So., Leavenworth, Kan.

Kaylee Manns, Iowa State, S, Jr., Topeka, Kan.

Rita Liliom, Kansas State, OH, Sr., Budapest, Hungary

Nataly Korobkova, Kansas State, OH, Sr, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Sydney Anderson, Nebraska, S, So., Salt Lake City

Kori Cooper, Nebraska, MB, Jr., Amarillo, Texas

Jordan Larson, Nebraska, OH, Sr., Hooper (Logan View)

Tara Mueller, Nebraska, OH, So., Scottsdale, Ariz.

Ashley Engle, Texas, OPP, Jr., Yorba Linda, Calif.

Juliann Faucette, Texas, OH, So., San Diego

Destinee Hooker, Texas, OH, Jr., San Antonio

Lauren Paolini, Texas, MB, Sr., Ann Arbor, Mich.

HONORABLE MENTION

Jen Malcom, Iowa State, MB, Sr.; Ashley Mass, Iowa State, L, So.; Megan Farr, Kansas State, MB, Sr.; Amanda Gates, Nebraska, MB, Sr.; Sarah Ammerman, Texas A&M, OH, Jr.; Mary Batis, Texas A&M, OH, Jr.

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Rachel Hockaday, Iowa State, OH; Nicole Tate, Kansas, S; Brianne Barker, Oklahoma, S; Caitlin Higgins, Oklahoma, OH; Michelle Kocher, Texas, S; Amanda Dowdy, Texas Tech, MB.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jordan Larson, Nebraska

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Sydney Anderson, Nebraska

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Michelle Kocher, Texas

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jordan Larson, Nebraska

LIBERO OF THE YEAR: Ashley Mass, Iowa State

COACH OF THE YEAR: John Cook, Nebraska

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Hooperite
Dec 2, 2008 1:07 PM
Congrats, Jordan!
What a terrific career and season you've had! Hooper is proud of you!
Can't wait to see where you go next..
LV Husker VB Fan
Dec 2, 2008 8:44 PM
It has been a joy watching you all four years at LV and four at UNL. You are such a great role model for young girls across Nebraska. Best wishes in your quest for another National Championship in Omaha. We'll see you there!
Hooper native and Husker VB fan
Dec 3, 2008 12:28 AM
Congratulations to Jordan Larson on your All-Big 12 honors - they are well deserved! It's been a pleasure to watch you the past four seasons, representing our hometown. I can't wait to see how you and your teammates will do in the NCAA Tournament! Go Huskers!
LV Grad
Dec 3, 2008 7:40 PM
Congratulations, Jordan!