Former Husker Kelly Hunter Named to John Cook’s Staff as Grad Assistant

The Nebraska volleyball team announced on Friday that former NU volleyball setter Kelly Hunter has been added to head coach John Cook’s staff as a grad assistant.

Hunter won two national championships during her time with the Huskers, in 2015 and in 2017. After she graduated from Nebraska, Hunter played one season of professional volleyball in Turkey with Beylikduzu.

“One of the greatest joys in coaching is having a former player come back and coach in your program,” Cook said in a press release. “Kelly has decided to finish her master’s degree and work with our program this season. Nicklin (Hames) and Nicole (Drewnick) are two of the luckiest setters in the country, as they’ll be able to train with her. Not only will Kelly be in the gym every day, she’ll also be helping us develop leaders in our program. She was one of the best captains we’ve ever had, and now after her experience being away from the program and playing professionally, she’ll have a lot of wisdom to share with our players.”

Hunter is one of NU’s most accomplished players in program history. In 2017, Hunter was named a first-team AVCA All-American selection. She was also named the Big 10 Setter of the Year. Additionally, PrepVolleyball.com named her the National Player of the Year. In her career, Hunter had 4,125 assists, second most in school history. Hunter has the most career postseason assists (699) and NCAA Tournament wins for the Huskers as well.

“I’m so excited to be back with Nebraska volleyball and working as a graduate assistant,” Hunter said. “It’s awesome to be a part of a program that supports their former athletes so much. I’ll be working every day with the setters at practice. I’m looking forward to a great season.”

Hunter will serve as the setters coach while she finishes her master’s degree in business administration.

(Photo – Courtesy of NU Athletic Communications)