Wow, just wow.

[Lion_Backer]

Perhaps there is a back story, but it always appeared to me that Cook and Russ did not get along.

My dad nicknamed Cook the Sniveler because he seemed to always be whining and crying about something during our matches.

Having stated that I found nothing wrong with his post game commentary yesterday as he was complimentary and respectful from what I have read.

 

[LandoComando]

John Cook is a great coach. I've not heard him say anything derogatory against Penn State. He was very gracious in the post match press conference. Not sure why the negativity towards him here.

The Penn State - Louisville final will be interesting. Penn State beat them 3-0 early in the season but that was at Rec Hall. This will essentially be a home match for Louisville. Louisville's top outside hitter, Anna De Beer, had to leave the semifinal against Pitt with a high ankle sprain. She is from Louisville - if she is unable to go in the final or at reduced strength, that will be a tough factor for the Cardinals to overcome.

It would be nice if PSU could win this for Katie. Some may remember back in 2022, there was a push to recruit Pitt's Dan Fisher to replace Russ Rose. When that fell through, there was some sentiment that Penn State was "settling" for KSC. Clearly, she has demonstrated she deserved the job. Hopefully, this will be the first of many finals appearances for her at the helm of Penn State.

Katie was a gamble that paid off--she didn't have much success at UIC or Penn. Going from Rose to an unknown (any legend to an unknown) is also going to be questioned. Fisher would have likely been a great hire as well but obviously thrilled with Katie.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

This is the comeback in the 4th set and then the deciding 5th set. Nebraska was up 21-16 in the 4th and just couldn't close it out.

View embedded media

It was 22-16

 

[Kasparaitis]

John Cook is a great coach. I've not heard him say anything derogatory against Penn State. He was very gracious in the post match press conference. Not sure why the negativity towards him here.

The Penn State - Louisville final will be interesting. Penn State beat them 3-0 early in the season but that was at Rec Hall. This will essentially be a home match for Louisville. Louisville's top outside hitter, Anna De Beer, had to leave the semifinal against Pitt with a high ankle sprain. She is from Louisville - if she is unable to go in the final or at reduced strength, that will be a tough factor for the Cardinals to overcome.

It would be nice if PSU could win this for Katie. Some may remember back in 2022, there was a push to recruit Pitt's Dan Fisher to replace Russ Rose. When that fell through, there was some sentiment that Penn State was "settling" for KSC. Clearly, she has demonstrated she deserved the job. Hopefully, this will be the first of many finals appearances for her at the helm of Penn State.

Did you see the post match handshake?

 

[DELion]

I did - it was a quick handshake after a very tough match. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Kasparaitis]

I did - it was a quick handshake after a very tough match. Nothing wrong with that.

There was nothing “wrong” in the same way that there is no obligation to turn in a family member who commits a crime. But considering your well-known colleague is going through the fight of her life, it does not seem an appropriate response. That is all I was pointing out. Now if you want to continue to defend it, all I can say is I wish you the best of health in the future.

 

[tboyer]

Noted women's college volleyball expert Andrew Filiponi from The Fan a few days ago predicted that Pitt and Nebraska would win. His volleyball predictions are as good as all of his other predictions.

Turned out wrong, but it's not an unreasonable prediction. Nebraska and Pitt were the favorites.

 

[tboyer]

My comment was based solely on the after-match handshake which was a drive by from the Nebraska coach.

Wouldn't read too much into it in this case. There is a lot going through Cook's mind at that moment, mainly what is he going to say to his heartbroken team in the locker room. Watch his postgame comments and interviews and there's nothing but respect for Katie and genuine appreciation for her courage this year.

 

[LandoComando]

There was nothing “wrong” in the same way that there is no obligation to turn in a family member who commits a crime. But considering your well-known colleague is going through the fight of her life, it does not seem an appropriate response. That is all I was pointing out. Now if you want to continue to defend it, all I can say is I wish you the best of health in the future.

Who knows what he said to her before the game...always maybe she doesn't want people talking about her cancer after she won the biggest game of her life as a coach

 

[Kasparaitis]

Wouldn't read too much into it in this case. There is a lot going through Cook's mind at that moment, mainly what is he going to say to his heartbroken team in the locker room. Watch his postgame comments and interviews and there's nothing but respect for Katie and genuine appreciation for her courage this year.

I understand all that. However the initial reaction to a high stakes event is a more true measure of a person, not after some time has passed and you have the opportunity to formulate a prepared response. Like defiance immediately after being shot at is a measure of courage or bravery, as an extreme example.

 

[LandoComando]

I understand all that. However the initial reaction to a high stakes event is a more true measure of a person, not after time some time has passed and you have the opportunity to formulate a prepared response. Like defiance immediately after being shot at is a measure of courage or bravery, as an extreme example.

And he shook her hand in that moment.

 

[SYRCHAZ]

Incredible point at 6-4 in the 5th set, as brilliant a play as you will ever see. Great serve from Harper Murray, Mruzik kind of shanks the pass, Izzy Starck is careening to the sideline to save it and somehow bumps a perfect back set over her shoulders to the middle of the center line. PSU is out of system so they don't even have anyone on the front line and Starck knows this as she's running with her back to the court. It's a high set, absolutely perfect, and it gives Mruzik just enough time to line up and nail it from the back row; she hits it perfectly to the center of the Nebraska D just between the two back row defenders.

Starck and Mruzik (but especially Starck in this play) are incredible players and they bring their best when the match is on the line. What's great about volleyball is you can see the mental toughness and creative brilliance at times like this.

Lots of great points in the match, but I agree, this was the most important

 

[SYRCHAZ]

Beating perennial power Nebraska twice in the last few weeks, including in the final four will be a big boost for recruiting, despite our coaches health concerns. Lots of intangibles including culture and mental toughness favoring this team going forward.

 

[LandoComando]

Beating perennial power Nebraska twice in the last few weeks, including in the final four will be a big boost for recruiting, despite our coaches health concerns. Lots of intangibles including culture and mental toughness favoring this team going forward.

They seem to be dominating recruiting as it is. I do agree though because as much as the wins are impressive thr vibe is impressive. Those girl were having fun even when things looked horrible for them. They trust each other and staying relaxed really enabled them to win. I'm sure a lot of players watching at home want to join that environment. Nebraska on the other hand was visibly stressed even with the lead.

 

[mcpat]

Katie Schumacher-Cawley coaching this team to the national final while undergoing chemotherapy for stage two breast cancer. And she’d love how the the focus in this thread has been on the incredible play and resilience of the team. Special coach. Special team.

 

[KCLion]

Beating perennial power Nebraska twice in the last few weeks, including in the final four will be a big boost for recruiting, despite our coaches health concerns. Lots of intangibles including culture and mental toughness favoring this team going forward.

2nd Jerivicious and Patrick Ewing’s daughter coming in next year.