After promoting Jaylen Reyes to the lead assistant role on Tuesday, John Cook filled the vacancy on is staff by promoting Kelly Hunter to a full-time assistant role.
Long Beach State announced on Sunday that it had lured away associate head coach Tyler Hildebrand to take over it’s program.
Hunter has served as a volunteer assistant the past two seasons and was a graduate assistant in 2019. She stepped in as an interim assistant from January to August in 2020 following the departure of Kayla Banwarth and prior to Hildebrand returning to Lincoln.
“Kelly has been an important part of Nebraska Volleyball for eight years, and we’re happy to announce her promotion to a full-time assistant coach on our staff,” Cook said in a release. “She is one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around, and she knows what it takes to be a national champion, which only benefits our student-athletes.
“We have seen over and over again how special Kelly is, and she has stepped up to the challenge of every role she has had in our program. Kelly is a great relationship builder, and she has the trust of our players. She bleeds Husker red, and she has earned this opportunity.”
Hunter played Nebraska from 2013 to 2017, redshirting in 2014. She started at setter and served as a team captain for three seasons, guiding the Huskers to two national titles (2015 and 2017) and a Final Four (2-16) during that time. She was a two-time All-American (first-team in 2017, second-team in 2016), a two-time All-Big ten performer and the 2017 Big Ten Setter of the Year in addition to numerous other honors.
“I am beyond thrilled to begin my full-time coaching career at Nebraska,” Hunter said. “There is no greater dream than to coach for my alma mater and remain a part of Husker Nation.
“I would like to thank Vice Chancellor, Director of Athletics Trev Alberts and Chancellor Ronnie Green for the opportunity, as well as Coach Cook for always believing in me. This program sets the standard for hard work and success, and I am thankful to be a part of such an amazing culture. I am humbled and excited for the future.”
The Papillion-La Vista South graduate and Husker legacy earned her bachelor’s degree in management and marketing and her master’s degree in the arts of business administration in 2019.
Jacob is in his third year with Hail Varsity covering Husker athletics. He has also written extensively for SB Nation’s Bright Side of the Sun and The Creightonian. His love of basketball can best be described as an obsession and if you need to find him, he’s probably in a gym somewhere watching, coaching or playing hoops.
