NU volleyball head coach John Cook and players Lauren Stivrins, Nicklin Hames and Kayla Caffey discuss the Huskers' loss to Wisconsin in the national championship match.
Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook quickly worked to maintain continuity in the coaching staff by announcing Tuesday that assistant coach Jaylen Reyes has been promoted to the Huskers’ lead assistant role.
That follows the weekend departure of associate head coach Tyler Hildebrand to be the head women’s coach at Long Beach State.
There are still some head coaching jobs open for which Reyes could be contacted. He just completed his fourth season at Nebraska.
Reyes has been key to Nebraska’s success in recruiting and coaching Nebraska’s back-row defense. He previously served as Nebraska’s defensive coordinator.
"Jaylen is committed to Nebraska volleyball, and we're thrilled to see him rewarded for his hard work, especially with our stellar recruiting classes," Cook said in a news release. "He's putting down roots in Lincoln, and our program will continue to succeed with a young coach of his caliber on our bench."
Later Tuesday, Volleyball Club Nebraska, the large youth volleyball club based in west Lincoln, announced that Kristen Kelsey has joined the staff as associate director and recruiting coordinator. Kelsey is a former assistant coach at Northwestern and Reyes' girlfriend.
Cook believes Reyes is one of the best recruiters in the nation.
"I'm thrilled to continue my journey with the Nebraska volleyball program into the future," Reyes said in a news release. "It has been a privilege to coach these incredible student-athletes over the past four seasons, and I'm excited to be a part of our current and future Huskers' journey for a championship.â€
Nebraska still has one opening for its staff of two full-time assistants.
Photos: All of the sights from Columbus, where the Huskers and Badgers meet with a national title up for grabs
Nebraska's Madi Kubik (10) digs the ball against Wisconsin during the NCAA Tournament championship match Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
JEFF DEAN, The Associated Press
Wisconsin's Lauren Barnes (center) reacts after her team scores a point against Nebraska during the NCAA Tournament championship match Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
JEFF DEAN, The Associated Press
Nebraska's reserve players react after their team scores a point against Wisconsin during the NCAA Tournament championship match Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
JEFF DEAN, The Associated Press
Nebraska head coach John Cook sits on the sidelines during the NCAA Tournament championship match Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
JEFF DEAN, The Associated Press
Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) digs the ball against Nebraska during the NCAA Tournament championship match Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
JEFF DEAN, The Associated Press
Wisconsin players celebrate after defeating Nebraska during the NCAA Tournament championship match Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
JEFF DEAN, The Associated Press
Nebraska players huddle during the NCAA Tournament championship match against Wisconsin on Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
JEFF DEAN, The Associated Press
Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) stretches for a hit against Wisconsin's Devon Robinson (10) and Anna Smrek during the NCAA Tournament championship match Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
JEFF DEAN, The Associated Press
Wisconsin's Julia Orzol (22) hits the ball towards Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) during the NCAA tournament championship match on Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
JEFF DEAN, The Associated Press file photo
Wisconsin's head coach Kelly Sheffield celebrates after his team defeated Nebraska in the championship match of the NCAA volleyball tournament Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
PAUL VERNON, Associated Press file photo
Wisconsin players hold up the NCAA trophy after defeating Nebraska in the championship match Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
PAUL VERNON, The Associated Press
Wisconsin players pose for a photo after defeating Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament championship match Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
PAUL VERNON, The Associated Press
Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield speaks to his team during the championship match of the NCAA Tournament against Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
PAUL VERNON, The Associated Press
Wisconsin fans cheer during the championship match against Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
PAUL VERNON, The Associated Press
Nebraska's reserve players stand on the sidelines during the championship match of the NCAA Tournament against Wisconsin on Dec. 18, 2021, on Columbus, Ohio.
PAUL VERNON, The Associated Press
Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins (26) attacks the ball against Wisconsin during the NCAA championship match on Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
JEFF DEAN, Associated Press file photo
Fans attend the championship match of the NCAA women's volleyball tournament between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
PAUL VERNON, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wisconsin's Grace Loberg (21) hits against the block of Nebraska's Nicklin Hames (1) and Lauren Stivrins during the NCAA championship match Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
PAUL VERNON, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nebraska's Nicklin Hames (center) and Lauren Stivrins (right) try to block a spike by Wisconsin's Julia Orzol during the national championship match on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Nicklin Hames dives for the ball during the national championship match against Wisconsin on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Lexi Rodriguez passes the ball during the national championship match against Wisconsin on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Nicklin Hames sets the ball during the national championship match against Wisconsin on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins spikes the ball during the national championship match against Wisconsin on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska fans cheer for the players before the national championship match between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Keonilei Akana high-fives fans before the national championship match between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Kayla Caffey high-fives a fan before the national championship match between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Fans wait for Nebraska's volleyball team to arrive for national championship match against Wisconsin on Dec. 18, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. The Huskers, seeking their sixth title, fell in five sets to the Badgers.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska fans wait for the players before the national championship match between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Lexi Rodriguez high-fives fans before the national championship match between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins high-fives fans before the national championship match between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska fans wait for the players before the national championship match between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska's Lauren Stivrins high-fives a fan before the national championship match between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska cheerleaders get the crowd going before the national championship match between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska fans wait for the players before the national championship match between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Nebraska cheer team member Logan Larsen cheers before the national championship match between Wisconsin and Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2021, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
EILEEN T. MESLAR, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Reach the writer at 402-473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com . On Twitter .
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