Nebraska volleyball’s recent success in five-set matches

Welcome back to the Just Askin’ mailbag.

The premise is straightforward. You ask me some questions — or vent your frustrations — about Nebraska Athletics. Any sport. I attempt to answer them.

If you want your question included in the next edition of the mailbag, find me on Twitter/X at @Amie_Just, Threads/Instagram at @_amiejust or email me at ajust@journalstar.com.

What is John Cook’s recent or overall record in 5th set matches? He always seems to have them playing hard in the 5th set. — X user @GBRExpeditioner

This, of course, is in response to Nebraska’s dominant fifth set against Creighton on Tuesday night. So, here’s the rundown of the most recent 10 seasons:

2024: 1-0 in five-setters

2023: 3-0 in five-setters with wins at No. 16 Penn State, vs. No. 1 Wisconsin, at No. 17 Purdue

2022: 3-1 in five-setters with wins at No. 17 Creighton, vs. No. 7 Ohio State, at Northwestern, loss in the NCAA Tournament against No. 9 Oregon.

2021: 1-3 in five-setters with a win vs. Omaha and losses vs. No. 20 Utah, at No. 11 Minnesota, in the national championship against No. 4 Wisconsin.

2020: 1-1 in five-setters with a win vs. 11 Ohio State and a loss against No. 11 Ohio State.

2019: 5-1 in five-setters with wins at No. 25 San Diego, at No. 20 Illinois, vs. No. 7 Penn State, vs. Iowa, at No. 7 Minnesota, and a loss at No. 20 Purdue.

2018: 3-3 in five-setters with wins at No. 14 Creighton, vs. No. 7 Penn State, vs. No. 3 Illinois in the Final Four, and losses at No. 9 Penn State, at No. 9 Wisconsin, and against No. 1 Stanford in the national championship.

2017: 2-1 in five-setters with wins vs. No. 7 Wisconsin, vs. No. 1 Penn State in the Final Four, and a loss at No. 12 Florida.

2016: 4-1 in five-setters with wins at No. 20 Michigan State, vs. No. 3 Minnesota, at No. 11 Penn State, vs. No. 13 Penn State in the NCAA Tournament, and a loss at No. 2 Minnesota.

2015: 3-2 in five-setters with wins vs. No. 11 Oregon, at No. 1 Penn State, at Michigan State, and losses at No. 3 Texas, at No. 13 Ohio State.

From 2015 to present, Nebraska is 25-13 in five-set matches. And since 2021, Nebraska is 7-1.

Why does the Illinois game have to be on a Friday? — Tony C.

We wrote about this a little back when the game was moved to Friday night, but it’s been a while, so let’s refresh.

Nebraska’s non-Black Friday conference road opponents this season are: Purdue on Sept. 28, Indiana on Oct. 19, Ohio State on Oct. 26, and USC on Nov. 16.

What do all those things have in common?

Yes. Every single Nebraska road opponent this year, aside from Iowa, is hosting Nebraska for Homecoming.

And the Big Ten refuses to move Homecoming games to Friday nights.

So that puts Nebraska in a tough spot, meaning the Huskers will host a Friday night game in Memorial Stadium for the first time ever.

And it’s a game that could mean quite a bit.

As it stands this week, Nebraska is ranked and Illinois is knocking on the door. Pair that with the 400th sellout of Memorial Stadium and, that place could be rocking once again.

But yes, I don’t like it either but Nebraska didn’t have much of a choice in the matter this time.

Colorado vs. Nebraska, 9.7 — Nebraska assistant linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek (from left), analyst Jack Potenza, and defensive coordinator Tony White signal to Husker players on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Who will replace defensive coordinator Tony White next year? He’s that good… — Darrin S.

It’s hard to predict what the coaching carousel is going to bring, but I agree. Tony White is going to be an amazing head coach one day. Maybe that day comes sooner than Nebraska fans are ready for.

Now, it’s impossible to know what Rhule does at this stage. Does he run it back with Phil Snow, who had been his defensive coordinator at Temple, Baylor and Carolina? Does he hire someone from outside his circle? Does he promote internally?

If Rhule promotes internally, my vote would be for new defensive backs coach John Butler. He has really made his mark in the short time that he’s been here. However, Butler has only been a defensive coordinator once before at the major college level: in 2013 at Penn State before he was in the NFL from 2014-23.

Any update on Mac Markway? Do we see him this season or is he on track for a redshirt? – X user @thew1242.

This is a unique situation, considering guys don’t just up and leave schools and then enroll in another university without telling the new football program until they get there very often.

Based on what Rhule has said, Markway is eligible to play this season. But does he? If the situation presents itself, I think you both proposed situations come true from the question. I think we see him, but they preserve his redshirt.

Nebraska’s tight end room is loaded. You have Thomas Fidone. You have Nate Boerkircher. You have Luke Lindenmeyer. And that doesn’t mention the other young guys who could be getting some playing time down the road, too.

But yes. He’s a great addition to the room. And he could be a difference-maker down the road.