Women’s volleyball is having a moment in Nebraska.
Between Omaha being named a host city for the 2027 Women’s Volleyball World Cup, the Nebraska Cornhuskers team in the midst of a sensational undefeated run, and a Major League Volleyball (MLV) championship appearance by the Omaha Supernovas in May, fans of the sport are charged up throughout the state.
Now the MLV is paying homage to the man who helped build that culture up to where it is today.
The inaugural MLV John Cook Invitational will take place on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2027, featuring the Omaha Supernovas facing the expansion Los Angeles Thunder at John Cook Arena in the Bob Devaney Sports Center on the University of Nebraska campus in Lincoln.
The special matchup will honor the former Nebraska coach and current Omaha Supernovas co-owner and general manager for his lasting impact on volleyball while celebrating Nebraska’s passionate volleyball community and spotlighting the continued growth of women’s professional volleyball in the US, according to an announcement from the league on Oct. 26.
“There is no better place to celebrate the past, present, and future of volleyball than Lincoln, and few people have done more to advance the sport in the US than John Cook,” stated MLV Commissioner Jaime Weston in the release. “The John Cook Invitational reflects what MLV is building, which is a league that elevates the professional game, showcases the incredible talent of its athletes, and brings volleyball to the national stage it deserves. Bringing that vision to a community with such a deep passion for the sport makes this event especially meaningful. This is the Major Leagues, and we’re building the future of professional volleyball.”
Cook led the Nebraska women’s team for a quarter-century, racking up a staggering 722–103 record (.875 winning percentage) as coach from 2000 to 2024. He was awarded the USA Volleyball All-Time Great Coach Award in 2008 and inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017.
“Volleyball is part of the fabric of Nebraska, and the fans here have played an enormous role in shaping the sport,” Cook said upon the announcement of the inaugural invitational in his name. “The Supernovas are building on that tradition at the professional level, and being involved with MLV gives me an opportunity to help grow the game for the next generation. Bringing these two teams to Lincoln is a great way to celebrate the people who have supported volleyball for decades and the athletes continuing to raise its level.”
Announced on Oct. 30, the 2027 MLV regular season will begin on Jan. 7, 2027, and run through April 24, featuring 156 matches across 75 match dates. It’s the most matches the league has ever held due to the addition of five expansion franchises including Los Angeles, Northern California, Minnesota, Las Vegas, and Washington DC.
The Supernovas will be looking to finish the job in 2027 following a 2026 campaign that saw them end the regular season on top of the league only to drop the Match For A Million championship to the Dallas Pulse.
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