LINCOLN — Early Monday night, just a few hours after Nebraska held its press conference to introduce Lauren Cook as a Husker, some surprising news came out of UCLA: Andy Banachowski, the coach with the most victories in the history of women's college volleyball, announced that he will retire on June 30.

Banachowski, 64, had guided UCLA women's volleyball since its inception in 1965. The 2009 season marked his 43rd leading the Bruins, and his career coaching record will stand at 1,106-301. UCLA has won six national championships under Banachowski, and the presence of the legendary coach was one of the main reasons Lauren Cook wanted to play for the Bruins.

But NU coach John Cook said he was completely unaware that Banachowski was even thinking about stepping down. And whether Banachowski was going to remain with the Bruins was never an issue, John Cook said, in his daughter's decision to transfer to Nebraska.

In fact, Cook said he received an e-mail from Banachowski on Monday afternoon, a message that confirmed UCLA's decision not to participate in NU's 2010 Players Challenge tournament. The Huskers and Bruins had scheduled to play each other in several matches after Lauren Cook committed to UCLA, but the coaches agreed to change those plans after the setter's transfer.

“Andy sent me a really nice e-mail today,” John Cook said. “He said he was bummed about losing Lauren, but that he understood her wanting to come home. And he talked again about how he didn't think it was a good idea to play in our tournament. But that was it. He didn't say anything about retiring.”

Rookie brings a mix of skills

Morgan Broekhuis probably felt as if she'd walked into the Twilight Zone. On her first day of classes Monday, and her first day as an official member of the Nebraska volleyball team, Broekhuis spoke in front of the same sizable media gathering that came out to talk to the Cooks.

Broekhuis performed well while sitting alone in the unexpected glare. But you couldn't blame the rookie for appearing just a tad nervous and wide-eyed. And if she had any doubt about how big of a deal NU volleyball is in this state, she received a crash course right out of the gate.

“This is definitely different from what I'm used to,” she said. “But it's fun.”

Broekhuis graduated early and enrolled at Nebraska for the new semester so she could get a head start on classes, bond with the team and train in hopes of playing right away at the college level. A touted 6-5 left-hander, from Colorado Springs, Colo., Broekhuis has extensive experience as both a setter and an attacker.

Broekhuis said she's willing to play any position for the Huskers. If she alone were in charge of picking her postion, however, she said she'd prefer to have a combination role that allowed her to set and hit.

“I'm open to doing both, and I've been doing both for quite a while,” she said. “Choosing one or the other would be hard right now, but we'll see what happens.”

James opts to end career

John Cook also announced on Monday that Kaitlynn James, NU's redshirt freshman outside hitter from Louisville, Ky., has been forced to quit playing volleyball because of numerous recurring problems with injuries.

She will remain in school at Nebraska and will be on medical scholarship. She won't play for the Huskers, and she won't count against the team's scholarship total.

“I can't participate in volleyball, but I will stay involved with Nebraska volleyball as much as possible,” James said in a release. “I have learned so much through this program over the last two years and wanted the chance to thank the best college volleyball fans in the country. For my teammates and the coaching staff, I wish them the best of luck in the spring and next season.”

James appeared in seven matches last season, She took took a medical redshirt season in 2008 following shoulder surgery.

“This is a tough day for us, because Kaitlynn has given so much to Nebraska volleyball over the last two years,” Cook said. “Kaitlynn has a great passion for the sport and for her teammates, and I think we all have great respect for the work she has done to overcome injuries. She provided a great example of hard work and perseverance.”

Also on Monday, Cook said that his daughter's decision to transfer has not affected the status of incoming freshman setter Kristen Kelsay.

Kelsay, from suburban Chicago, signed with the Huskers in November for the 2010 season. Cook said he has yet to talk to Kelsay about whether his daughter's arrival has affected her decision to attend NU. But as of right now, he said, the plan is still for Kelsay to join the team this summer.

— Chad Purcell

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