Hayley Densberger, left, and Jaela Zimmerman were high school teammates at Malcolm and played against each other Sept. 6.
photo courtesy Becky Densberger
There was a definite buzz in the air around Malcolm last week, and it had nothing to do with the anticipation of the long-awaited Scott Frost era of Nebraska football. While this buzz did have to do with high level college athletics, it was about a sport that has brought a great deal of pride to the village of just over 400 people nestled between Lincoln and Seward.
After playing together on high school and club volleyball courts for three years, Malcolm High School alums Hayley Densberger and Jaela Zimmerman found themselves across the court from each other the evening of Sept. 6 as Densberger’s Nebraska Cornhuskers faced Zimmerman’s Creighton Bluejays in a matchup of top 15 ranked teams.
An NCAA record crowd of more than 14,000 witnessed a match for the ages as No. 7 Nebraska held off No. 14 Creighton (22-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-22, 15-10) in what would have been the Bluejays’ first ever victory over the Huskers. For Creighton, it was the first time they have won two sets in a match against the Huskers, and Zimmerman played a huge part in the competitiveness of the Bluejays.
With a hyped crowd equally clad in both blue and red on its feet for the start of the match, it was Zimmerman who struck first as she slammed a kill to the CHI Health Center Omaha floor to put her Bluejays on the board.
“No one, including myself, was expecting the first set ball to go to me,” Zimmerman said. “It was really exciting when the ball hit the ground and I got to hear the crowd cheer.
“It made the whole experience of my first match against Hayley and the Huskers even more memorable.”
Through the first set, the two teams’ rotations never set up to have the two former Clippers on the court at the same time. When the second set opened, the Creighton freshman looked through the net and saw the Husker sophomore on the other side.
“It was weird being across the net from Hayley,” Zimmerman said. “The only times that has ever happened was in practice, so this was definitely different.”
“It was amazing to realize two Malcolm kids were on such a big stage,” Densberger said. “It was a proud moment for both of us to represent two great teams and an even better community.”
With both players coming from close-knit families who have always traveled well to see their favorite players, there was an empty seat in the arena that provided extra motivation for Zimmerman. During her senior year of high school, one of Zimmerman’s biggest cheerleaders – her grandma – passed away.
“She was always a big Husker fan, but of course that changed when I became a Bluejay,” Zimmerman said. “Just knowing she was watching over me and cheering loud for me was extra motivation in this match.”
Having played in the national championship last year in Kansas City and knowing her home arena is packed for every match, Densberger has become used to loud environments. Still, playing in front of the largest crowd to ever see a single regular season NCAA volleyball match was something special.
“It was so loud in there,” Densberger said. “It’s pretty cool to see how much volleyball means to this state.”
Not only were the two former Class C1 stars on the court for the big match, both made significant contributions. In addition to the first kill of the match, Zimmerman finished with 10 kills and a hitting percentage of .400.
A defensive specialist, Densberger had seven digs, including a big one late in the fourth set that kept the ball alive and helped the Huskers force a fifth set.
“It felt good to keep the team rolling,” Densberger said. “We really needed some big plays towards the end, and I think everyone did a great job at trusting our training when it really mattered.”
While it was the first, it surely will not be the last time the former teammates face off on a big stage, and both are thankful for the support from home.
“The Malcolm community is amazing,” Zimmerman said. “I loved seeing everyone after the game or getting messages from them telling me they were there.”
“It really means the world to me to see how our Malcolm family supports both of us,” Densberger said. “It’s really heartwarming to be a part of such a great community.”
