LINCOLN — The first showdown between volleyball-coaching father and volleyball-playing daughter went the younger Cook’s way this fall.
It appears John Cook and Lauren Cook won’t be on opposite sides of the net ever again.
In a surprising development that had the college volleyball world buzzing Wednesday, Lauren Cook apparently has left UCLA a month after she completed her rookie season. The move opens the door for the Lincoln Pius X graduate to play for her father at Nebraska, possibly as early as next season.
A school official said on Wednesday night that Nebraska cannot comment on any student-athlete who has yet to enroll in classes. But a source with knowledge of the situation said that Lauren Cook returned home intending to continue her volleyball career with the Huskers.
The move could be announced officially when NU resumes classes on Monday.
If she receives her scholarship release from UCLA, she would be eligible to play for NU starting in 2010. She would have to redshirt next season if the Bruins don’t let her go — but she would have three years of college eligibility remaining regardless.
Nobody in the Cook family could be reached Wednesday night for comment.
In December, the standout setter became the first UCLA rookie to win AVCA national freshman of the year honors in program history. She helped the Bruins, who finished 14th in the final rankings, to a 24-9 record.
One of UCLA’s biggest victories of 2009 came in Lincoln, where Cook led the Bruins to a five-set win over the Huskers in front of an NCAA record crowd of 13,870. That loss snapped Nebraska’s 90-match home win streak.
That victory earned Cook the MVP award at NU’s Players Challenge tournament.
Two other UCLA players, including second team All-American Amanda Gil, also are rumored to have left the team.
In 2010, the Huskers are set to return two-time All-American setter Sydney Anderson. NU also signed setter Kristen Kelsay from suburban Chicago for its 2010 rookie class.
Setter Jessica Yanz, a Penn State transger who would’ve been a senior next year, announced at the end of the 2009 season that she will not play volleyball next season.
Contact the writer:
444-1207, chad.purcell@owh.com
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