MINNEAPOLIS — John Cook will certainly remember seniors Mikaela Foecke and Kenzie Maloney for a lot in their career. But he’ll also never forget them if someone can’t help the head coach to change the photo on his cellphone.
“It's been really a cool journey with those guys,†he said. “Like on my phone, my phone cover picture is of Mikaela and Kenzie sticking their tongues out at me, doing weird signs. They put that on there. I don't know how to get it off.â€
Cook called Foecke a special leader, who he predicted will carry those same skills into her future.
“She will be the best dang veterinarian in eastern Iowa, probably,†Cook said. “It's just been an honor to coach her for four years.â€
Looking ahead, however, Cook said Nebraska has a great setter to build around in Nicklin Hames, whom he called "a warrior," someone who wouldn’t allow the Huskers to back down against any obstacle this season.
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"We got a great foundation to build on with her," Cook said.
Best of the Final Four
Two Huskers, Mikaela Foecke and Lauren Stivrins, were named to the All-Tournament team.
Foecke, who had 19 kills against Illinois in the semifinals, capped her career with 27 kills against the Cardinal. Stivrins, a sophomore, was 19 kills on 26 swings in the match against Stanford.
Others on the All-Tournament team included Jenna Gray, Kathryn Plummer, Audriana Fitzmorris and Morgan Hentz of Stanford and Jacqueline Quade of Illinois.
Plummer and Hentz, the Stanford libero, shared most valuable player honors.
Looking ahead
The Final Four’s stay in the northern tier of states continues next season, when volleyball’s championship goes to Pittsburgh for the first time.
In 2020, the Final Four returns to Omaha for the fourth time, following tournaments hosted by Nebraska in 2006, 2008 and 2015.
The 2021 tournament returns to Columbus, Ohio, for the second time in five years.
In case you’re wondering, the Final Four hasn’t been played in California since 2007 (Sacramento).