At this level, jet lag isn’t an enormous deal for Jordan Larson.
After serving to the USA qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics with a victory Sunday over Germany in Lodz, Poland, Larson didn’t sleep earlier than catching flights from Warsaw to Munich to Chicago to Omaha on Monday.
On Tuesday, the “Governor” was within the apply fitness center because the third assistant coach for second-ranked Nebraska.
“I’ve finished it so many occasions that I don’t really feel it a lot anymore,” Larson stated to the press on Wednesday. “I’m up and shifting, and typically, if I’m residence an excessive amount of, I find yourself sleeping. I really feel fairly good.”
Larson was introduced as an assistant in June however hasn’t been across the staff an excessive amount of this yr. She practiced with them for 10 days after her skilled season and earlier than the Huskers’ Brazil journey. She was additionally in camp for a number of days and stopped by the fitness center at any time when she was in Lincoln.
Most of her time was spent speaking over Zoom, textual content messages or notes in Volleymetrics. She stated constructing that bond earlier than she stepped into the fitness center was helpful.
“Among the greatest coaches I’ve had in my profession, it begins with an amazing relationship,” Larson stated. “I’m of their again pocket, and I’m an asset for them in any capability. It’s actually necessary for them to know that. They’ll name anytime and with out judgment, and I’m right here to assist. I’m actually grateful for that and a while spent within the fitness center already and it’s once more made this transition actually seamless.”
Her main accountability might be working with the skin hitters and opposites on attacking and passing. Jaylen Reyes will oversee the center blockers and again row gamers, whereas Kelly Hunter guides the setters. Larson’s presence will enable NU coach John Cook dinner to focus extra on the large image.
Whereas the product of Hooper, Nebraska, who starred for the Huskers (2005-08) continues to be studying about how the group works collectively and her teaching fashion, Larson emulates Cook dinner’s strategy to the sport.
“He’s all the time studying. He’s all the time evolving. He’s all the time attempting to be higher,” she stated. “I believe that mindset throughout all aspects has actually come true for me. I’m by no means settling. It’s by no means sufficient for me, and I’m all the time attempting to be taught and the way I will be higher. That mindset in itself helps, and I believe that strategy as a coach is absolutely necessary.”
Larson stated she’s impressed with what she’s seen from Nebraska’s outdoors hitters to this point, together with their physicality and seeing the sport at a excessive degree. She likes what number of of them have junior nationwide staff expertise in order that they’ve seen how different nations play.
One of many facets she’s already serving to with is passing. Larson was among the best passers for the US nationwide staff and has constructed a profession on her means to maintain serves and assaults in play. She stated whereas she will present a number of bodily suggestions she will present, crucial side is creating the suitable psychological strategy.
“I believe it’s simply quieting their thoughts, quieting their ideas, and giving them one or two cues to actually hone in on and deal with,” she stated.
Nebraska, 11-0 and ranked No. 2 within the VolleyballMag.com Tremendous 16 Media Ballot, performs at Purdue on Friday and at Indiana on Saturday.
The USA had a difficult qualifying event with seven matches in 9 days, and Larson stated she was amazed her 36-year-old physique held up. The Individuals gained their first 5 matches earlier than falling to Poland with an opportunity to punch their ticket to Paris however responded the subsequent day with a four-set win over Germany.
“To now have this sense of peace that we’ve put within the work, and now we simply get to construct and prepare for Paris subsequent yr, is absolutely, actually large,” Larson stated.
Larson plans to take per week or so off to recuperate earlier than beginning to work out. She stated she bounce into apply ultimately to construct again her leaping capability. The captain of the USA staff that gained the Tokyo Olympics gold medal stated she intends to signal with a staff in the course of the subsequent few months and play professionally once more subsequent yr as she gears up for Paris subsequent summer season.
“I simply love the game a lot and it’s given me a lot. I joked with one among my mentors, she talks about residing on home cash and I actually really feel like I’m,” Larson stated.
“I really feel so blessed to have the ability to nonetheless play after which coach on the identical time. I’m simply residing on home cash on daily basis and never taking it as a right as a result of it might disappear right away.”