Nepo set to make Huskers ‘her team’
By Mitch Sherman
Sports Editor
Fiona Nepo doesn’t realize the size of the
shoes she is attempting to fill this season.
“Pressure?” she said. “I don’t really think
about it.”
Since 1981 . nine Nebraska setters have been
selected first-team All-Americans; a Comhusker
setter has been named to the all-conference team
14 of the past 15 seasons; and no U.S. Olympic
women’s volleyball team since 1984 has been
without the services of an NU setter.
Nepo, a 5-foot-9 sophomore who has started
only one match in her career, is asked this fall to
become the next great Husker setter.
In addition to that legacy, Nepo follows
Christy Johnson, a two-time first-team All
American who led Nebraska to its first-ever
national title last December.
As Johnson, the Huskers’ two-year team cap
tain, motivated the team in every way imagin
able, Nepo watched. When Johnson was injured
M
She is the most athletic player we have ever had at
the setter position.”
Tebto Pettit
NU volleyball coach
— during a Sept. 22 match against Baylor —
Nepo filled in, registering 34 assists in a Husker
sweep. But the next day, she returned to the
bench, filling in sparingly for the rest of the fall.
“Just by watching her,” Nepo said, “I learned
a lot. She took charge on the court. Christy is a
great person to learn from. Coach (Terry Pettit)
told me that, and I learned that by watching her.”
Nepo came to Nebraska from Honolulu, the
first Hawaiian to wear an NU uniform. She
knows nearly every member of the Hawaii vol
leyball team, a group the rest of her teammates
may meet Saturday in the championship match
of the season-opening State Farm/NACWAA
Classic.
Hawaii, which lost to Michigan State in the
finals of the West Regional last season, is ranked
No. 1 in the preseason USA Today/AVCA
coaches’ poll. Nepo, who was expected to at- \
tend Hawaii, is looking forward to facing the
Rainbows. '
Pettit said she would be ready. ‘
“She is the most athletic player we have ever
had at the setter position,” he said. “It’s going i
to take her time to be consistent, and it’s going ]
to take her time to be comfortable. But ultimately ;
she’ll be a great player.”
A year ago, Nepo was one-fourth of the No.
1 -ranked freshmen class in the nation. She didn’t
sxpect to be a starter. One season later, she is
nore than just a starter; she is a vital piece of
he team.
“Setters are very important because they
touch the ball every play,” said Jaime Krondak,
who entered the NU program with Nepo last
August. “She will be really good at it because
she is so physical.” __
But like all players, Krondak said, Nepo will
need time to adjust. During that adjustment pe
riod, her teammates will not lose faith in her
ability.
Because of a sore achilles tendon, Nepo did
tot play Saturday night in the Huskers’ Red
Vhite scrimmage. She is expected to be at full
itrength for Friday’s 7:30 p.m. season opener
igainst Illinois State.
“Is this is my team right now?” Nepo said
sarlier this month before Nebraska began fall
jractice. “Not really. Give me a couple of weeks,
md I’ll give you another answer.”
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