CHICAGO — For some players on the Nebraska volleyball team, the thought of playing for the Huskers is relatively new.
Middle blocker Leyla Blackwell played at San Diego last year, and Indiana before that. Outside hitter Taylor Landfair has been the Big Ten player of the year — for Minnesota.
That’s not the case for Lindsay Krause. Playing volleyball for Nebraska was a yearslong dream she’s living, and now over the next five months, the senior — with an English degree in hand — will write the final chapter of her time playing for Nebraska.
She’s experienced team and individual successes that most college volleyball players never will. She’s also had to battle through crushing injuries and put the team over herself by playing right-side hitter instead of her desired outside hitter position.
On Tuesday, the Papillion native and Omaha Skutt graduate was the program’s connection to the country as she and Kennedi Orr represented the Huskers at Big Ten media days at Big Ten Network headquarters in downtown Chicago.
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Years ago, in the club gyms of Omaha, there were stories of the sound Krause made how when she hit a volleyball being different from everyone else. She drew comparisons to Jordan Larson, now one of Krause’s coaches and a practice partner.
One of the best stories of this season would be if Krause helps lead the Huskers to team success while earning All-American honors for the first time.
Before what ended up being a season-ending injury last year, Krause had stretches where she was one of the best players in the nation.
“She was lighting it up,†coach John Cook said.
Krause is determined to max out her final season at Nebraska.
“I’m just planning to take every day at 100%, regardless of the position I’m in or what the season is looking like,†Krause said. “I’m just really excited to be in the gym and fully give everything of myself. I’m honestly just looking forward to every game day, every practice, every road trip. Just soaking it all in and being really grateful that I’m in the position that I’m in.â€
In six Big Ten matches last season Krause was averaging 2.82 kills per set with a .366 hitting percentage, which was the top hitting percentage by a Big Ten outside hitter in conference play at the time of her injury.
Krause says she’ll have a key role on the team, no matter what that looks like.
“Obviously I would love to be on the court, but my goal ultimately is to leave a lasting impact for this team,†she said. “I want to be providing in any way that I can. My goal is to be on the court as an outside hitter. However, I know that no matter what position I’m put in I will be doing it to the best of my abilities.â€
As a freshman in 2021, Krause got the final kill when 10th-ranked Nebraska stunned No. 2 Texas on its home court to make the NCAA Final Four — Krause’s shot deflected into the Texas student section. One week later, Krause played in the national championship match. She ended the season with the second-most kills on the team.
Last year Krause played for a team that won the Big Ten title. But in December she had to watch from the bench as the Huskers lost in the national championship match, not ready to return from an injury.
“I think it's been a little bit all over the place, but I wouldn't trade it for anything,†said Krause of her college career.
After the injury, even those nondescript nonconference matches will feel like a blessing for Krause.
“I missed it so much when I couldn't do it,†she said.
Cook is hopeful that Krause can come back as the great player she was last season.
“There’s no reason why she can’t, from what I’ve seen,†he said.