New Nebraska volleyball assistant coach Tyler Hildebrand will be traveling a lot in the next two months, but that’s just how he wants it.
Hildebrand’s hiring at Nebraska became official last week. But while beginning his work with Nebraska he’ll also be spending some time with the Long Beach State men’s indoor volleyball team, where he was the associate head coach. Long Beach State is in the middle of its season and is ranked No. 2 in the country.
He plans to be at some Long Beach State matches in the coming weeks, and would help coach the 49ers during the postseason, after the Huskers’ spring season is done.
On Wednesday, though, Hildebrand was with his new team, coaching the Nebraska beach volleyball team in its first official match of the season. The Huskers beat Missouri Baptist 5-0 in a match played on the Huskers’ indoor sand court at the Hawks Championship Center. The match was not open to the public due to space limitations. Nebraska will play the rest of its matches in Hawaii and Arizona from March 16-24.
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Nebraska won all five matches in two sets. Seniors Justine Wong-Orantes and Andie Malloy defeated Hannah Carey and Jen Brendel 21-10, 21-8. Olivia Boender and Annika Albrecht won at the No. 2 spot, and Kelly Hunter and Lauren Stivrins teamed up to win at No. 3.
Husker beach volleyball video. Kelly hunter and Lauren Stivrins win at the no. 3 spot.
— Brent Wagner (@LJSSportsWagner)
NU's Kenzie Maloney and Mikaela Foecke won at No. 4, and Brooke Smith and Tiani Reeves won at No. 5. In an exhibition match, Hunter Atherton and Sydney Townsend also won.
Hildebrand arrived in Lincoln on Tuesday for practice, which was the first time he’d been in Lincoln since his job interview.
Hildebrand was in his second year as associate head coach and fifth year overall on the staff for the Long Beach State men’s team.
“We’re having a great season at Long Beach, and I’ve been there for a really long time, and so I’m really grateful to (Nebraska coach John Cook) and Nebraska for allowing me to finish with something we started a long time ago at Long Beach State,†Hildebrand said. “I’m going to be on a plane a lot flying back and forth.â€
Hildebrand will be with the Huskers on the trip to Hawaii and Arizona. Once Nebraska begins its spring practice for indoor volleyball, he’ll be with Nebraska during the week but may join up with Long Beach State for some weekend matches.
He's excited about joining the Huskers, but also was torn about leaving Long Beach State. He also had an offer where he could continue to coach at Long Beach State and also coach with the United States men’s indoor national team during the summer.
“John allowing me to finish with my guys, and the respect that showed to me and our program over there was something I’m really grateful for,†Hildebrand said. “And honestly, it was something that makes me very enticed to work with a guy like that, and a program like that.â€
Hildebrand is the most experienced beach volleyball coach Nebraska has had since starting the program five years ago. Last summer, Hildebrand coached the U.S. beach volleyball duo of Jake Gibb and Casey Patterson at the Olympic Games. Hildebrand also played professionally on the beach from 2006-07. He’s also worked with beach volleyball stars Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross.
Hildebrand said the beach volleyball season will be a good way for him to become familiar with the NU players.
“It’s good for me to get used to kind of how the girls will react to me, and we’re going to go over there to Hawaii and try to beat some teams," he said.
Last year, Nebraska had a 5-5 record in beach volleyball. When the Huskers started a beach program, the sport was new to most of the players, but now players come to Nebraska knowing they’ll have the opportunity to also play on the beach team.
“I think at first it was kind of something that was fun for us, and we got to travel and all that,†Hunter said. “And now I think we’re actually competitive with the top teams.â€
Briefly
Briana Holman is the only Husker from the indoor team not playing on the beach team. She chose to focus on preparing for her senior year indoor season.