Just months after saying goodbye to college volleyball, outside hitter Ally Batenhorst has emerged as one of the brightest rookies in all of PVF. Last month, she put up a pro-career high of 22 kills and 8 digs against the Orlando Valkyries. “Ally B putting the league on notice,” wrote the official Supernovas Instagram handle. Now, it seems even those outside the PVF took notice, as a brand-new opportunity has come her way.
The former Nebraska Husker-turned-Trojan will get a taste of what it feels like to help others realize their talent at the Arizona Out of System Clinic. Batenhorst will join five other men’s volleyball icons at the OOS clinic and get a taste of what it feels like to walk in former coach Jon Cook’s shoes. The Supernova will also be the only woman in the lineup.
Yes! You heard that right. After helping the Omaha Supernovas climb to the top of the PFV standings, Ally Batenhorst will now don the coach’s cap, albeit for just one clinic. “Be honest. Have you ever seen a more stacked lineup than this? We can’t believe it either,” wrote Out of System’s official Instagram handle while announcing the coaches’ roster for their May 28th volleyball camp.
The lineup is truly stacked. The Mesa, AZ, clinic features men’s volleyball icons Gage Worsley, Joe Worsley, TJ Defalco, Troy Field, Keoni Thiim, and, of course, Ally Batenhorst as coaches. If you haven’t figured out by their names, then the Gage and Joe Worsley are brothers.
With a combined nine-year record in pro volleyball, Gage Worsley is among the best liberos in Germany. Meanwhile, Joe Worsley just became back-to-back Setter of the Year, and now… MVP of the French league. Meanwhile, TJ Defalco is a two-time Olympian and the 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medalist. So, it’s safe to say that Batenhorst’s coaching journey will start among the elites.
Ally Batenhorst is making John Cook proud
While coaching may be a new venture for the former Husker, she has already caught John Cook’s attention in pro volleyball. That became apparent when the retired coach attended his first PVF match with another former pupil, Harper Murray. And which team’s match did he choose to watch live? The Omaha Supernovas.
“This is my first Supernova match. I watched a couple on TV,” John Cook revealed to Hurrdat Sports after Ally Batenhorst and Co. swept Vegas Thrill 3-0. The four-time national championship-winning coach was thoroughly impressed with the skill on display. “The crowd’s great. They put on a great show. The level of play is really good,” added Coach Cook.
His former pupil has also grown to become instrumental in the team’s success. Despite a slow and gradual start, the rookie has put up some monstrous stats after just 34 sets. Batenhorst has already scored 100 kills, putting up an impressive kill/set number of 2.94. Her points/set stat is equally impressive at 3.09, with 105 total points.
Yet then again, Ally Batenhorst may not have become this successful if not for Cook’s support. The Athletic’s Mitch Sherman revealed, in 2024, how the now-retired coach even supported Batenhorst when she departed from NU. When she announced her plans to leave, Cook invited her to play with the Huskers during the winter beach volleyball season, if she wanted. Today, the volleyball star is doing her best to honor her former coach’s contribution.
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