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Pius X setter Cook commits to UCLA

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BY RON POWELL / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008 - 12:32:17 am CDT

Lincoln Pius X junior Lauren Cook should have some family close enough to watch all of her home college volleyball matches starting in the fall of 2009.

It just won’t be her mom and dad.

Cook, the daughter of Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook, has orally committed to play at UCLA, ending months of speculation where the 5-foot-8, two-time first-team Super-State setter would end up.

Story Photo
Pius X's Lauren Cook is a two-time first-team Super-State setter. (LJS file)

Cook had said repeatedly that she would probably leave home to go to college. That came to fruition after the Bruins offered her a scholarship during a campus visit to Los Angeles this past weekend.

“My dad supports my decision,” Lauren said. Both her father and mother, Wendy, are from the San Diego area.

“He wanted me to stay close to home, but he trusts Andy (Banachowski, UCLA head coach) and Kim (Jagd, assistant head coach). He knows they’ll take care of me and make me a better volleyball player.”

Banachowski will be entering his 42nd season as head coach this fall. He’s guided the Bruins to six national titles and 25 NCAA Tournament appearances. The Bruins reached the regional finals last season.

“They’ve (the Bruins) got three huge recruits coming in this year who are 6-7, 6-5 and 6-4, so I’ll have great hitters to set to,” Lauren Cook said. “I’ve had my mind set on UCLA for a long time, and it worked out that they wanted me too.’’

After earning national player of the year honors for the junior class from PrepVolleyball.com in January, Cook became the No. 1 setter recruit from the class of 2009. Last fall, she led the Thunderbolts to their second straight Class B state title with a state-record 1,341 assists. Cook also contributed 165 kills (.435 hitting efficiency), 51 ace serves and 292 digs.

Cook, who plays club for the Nebraska Volleyball Academy’s 18-and-under team, led the NVA’s 17-and-under squad to the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics National club division championship last summer. She was named MVP of the tournament.

Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com.


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Interesting weekend wrote on April 29, 2008 1:21 am:
" Well, this add another interesting tidbit to the story of the girls class of 2009. What a great group of Nebraska kids-why aren't any of the staying here to go to school? "

 Dano wrote on April 29, 2008 8:29 am:
" It is too bad some of the talent doesn't stay here. It is refreshing though, that they let her choose. i think it would have been extra special for her too play for here dad, but I can understand wanting to expand ones' experience. It would be nice to see some of the other talent stay and play, though. "

 Teri wrote on April 29, 2008 9:18 am:
" Congratulations and way to go Lauren!!! "

 Jordan wrote on April 29, 2008 10:43 am:
" I think it will be a good fit for Lauren. Andy is obviously a great coach and knows what he is doing with the team.
And Gina Mancuso is playing at Nebraska so I don't know what the talk of no one staying is about. When you only have 3 or 4 recruits a year it is hard to make a great team with only in state recruits. "

 this guy wrote on April 29, 2008 10:57 am:
" Congrats Lauren, you'll do a great job for the Bruins!!! "

 Captain Obvious wrote on April 29, 2008 1:12 pm:
" Playing for your parents can be very difficult. As she said, she wanted to make her own way. Congrats Lauren!
As for the argument that none of the in-state talent plays here. Amanda Gates, Brooke Delano, Rachel Schwartz, Jordan Larson, Jordan Wilberger? Ever heard of them? Nearly half of our roster is from in-state. They ARE staying here. Not to mention Gina Mancuso is joining the Huskers next year. "

 It seems to me wrote on April 29, 2008 1:58 pm:
" The comment about the "girls class of 2009" had less to do with volleyball and more to do with basketball. Volleyball is the one sport where Nebraska has been able to keep the best kids in the state to play. Kelley and Turner stayed, but Kastanek, Houser and Knudson all appear to be headed out of state. I have to wonder if the rumor that Yori didn't recruit these kids is true? Anyway, I think the success and recruiting of the volleyball speaks for itself. "

 Class of wrote on April 29, 2008 2:24 pm:
" I think the class of 2009 is referring to female athletes in all schools, in all sports. This class has outstanding athletes in all sports. Probably one of the most talented classes lincoln has ever seen. Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer. It is very exciting to watch these girls come along. I remember back in the day when you looked at the paper to see what kids were playing in college and the list was few, it is exciting to watch these kids go on and do what they love no matter where it is. Congrats Lauren and all of the others that are working towards there dreams!! "

 Question wrote on April 29, 2008 6:16 pm:
" Given the space that collegiate volleyball takes on the sports pages each fall, it is shocking that this story gets so little notice on the print edition. THIS IS A HUGE STORY.

A Lincoln girl is not only one of the best high school volleyball players in the country, one of the most storied volleyball programs in the country not only offered her a scholarship, she accepted. There is no other story on the front page of the sports section today that even compares in importance or popularity, yet this paper gives it a second rate second fold positon. Is this because she's not going to Nebraska, or is it because she not a male? If this was about a Lincoln high school football player going to Texas for example this would have been a HUGE top headline story. . . but then Lauren isn't a football player.

Its time the JS stops its gender biased coverage. It is a joke.

Congrats, Lauren, you should be very proud of yourself. . . most of Lincoln sure is. "

 GAR wrote on April 30, 2008 1:21 am:
" With Coach Banachowski's experience and legacy already established, it won't be long before UCLA will be looking for the next coach to sustain their program. Who knows, perhaps Lauren may still be playing for her father. Regardless of what fate lies ahead, Ms. Cook is to be congratulated on her successes, her inspiration to others and her high aspitrations for herself. She epitomizes the competiveness and love of the sport that reflects well on the State of Nebraska Volleyball.
"

 Eddie wrote on April 30, 2008 9:11 am:
" Congratulations Lauren. This is well deserved. As much as we would have loved to see you on television wearing a Husker uniform, I wish you the best. Make the Pius family proud. "

 VB FAN wrote on April 30, 2008 1:37 pm:
" I think this is awesome. I think it is so cool how the Husker fans all stand and cheer for the opposing team's Nebraska players. That will be an erruption when they say Lauren when she is here!!

Just a side note for all of you club ball non-supporters...she plays for the best volleyball club in town!!! "

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