Nebraska Volleyball Origins

In 1972, when Title IX was enacted, the University of Nebraska volleyball program was overshadowed by the school's football program in terms of funding and attention like many others across the country. Players had to come up with creative ways to raise money for uniforms, such as organizing a run from Lincoln to Omaha. The women were even asked to wait their turn to use the weight room. Fast forward to today, and the Nebraska women’s volleyball team has become one of the most successful programs in the sport. They boast more career wins than any other program and have secured five NCAA National Championships. Their home games at the 8,000-seat Devaney Center draw standing-room-only crowds.

"Nebraska Volleyball" is the first book to explore the journey of how volleyball became a powerhouse at the University of Nebraska. The story unfolds through key figures such as Pat Sullivan, the team’s first coach; Cathy Noth, a decorated player and later an assistant coach; Terry Pettit, the coach who led the team to its first National Championship in 1995 after twenty-three seasons; and John Cook, who took over as head coach in 2000. Author John Mabry also sheds light on the role of small Nebraska towns in producing top players for the program and generating statewide support. Additionally, public television played a crucial role in promoting the team by broadcasting games early on and building a loyal fan base across the state.

The success of Nebraska’s volleyball program is truly remarkable and has become one of the most celebrated stories in sports. Karch Kiraly, head coach for the U.S. National Women’s Volleyball Team, summed it up perfectly by saying, “If you want to learn about women’s college volleyball, your first stop has to be Lincoln, Nebraska.”

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