Grow Omaha Sports

The Greg McDermott era has come to a close at Creighton, as the Bluejays were eliminated in the semifinals of the College Basketball Crown on Saturday, falling 87-70 to West Virginia. McDermott closed his career with a 366-189 record in 16 seasons as head coach and as the winningest coach in program history.

He ushered the Bluejays from the Missouri Valley Conference into the storied Big East and led Creighton to its first Big East regular-season title (2019-20), three Sweet 16 appearances (2021, 2023, 2024) and the program’s first Elite Eight since 1941 (2024). In 13 years, Greg McDermott compiled 147 Big East wins, which put him sixth all-time in league history, only behind Jim Boeheim, Jim Calhoun, Jay Wright, John Thompson and Rick Pitino. After a Hall of Fame-worthy career, he officially passes the job to Alan Huss.

The Omaha Supernovas announced Tuesday that the team has parted ways with head coach Luka Slabe and promoted Thomas Robson to interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season. Blake Rawlins will remain on staff as assistant coach alongside Robson. Following the season, Robson will resume his role as assistant coach after signing an extension with the franchise through the 2028 season.

Omaha (11-11) sits in third place in MLV standings with six matches remaining in the regular season. The league’s top four teams will play in the MLV Championship, beginning with semifinal matches on Thursday, May 7.

LOVB Nebraska failed to secure the league’s fourth and final playoff spot for the upcoming LOVB Playoffs, following a loss to Austin and a Salt Lake win on Saturday. Salt Lake defeated LOVB Madison, clinching the final spot in the LOVB Playoffs due to the league’s three-way tiebreaker.

Saturday’s loss to LOVB Austin marked the final game of Jordan Larson’s storied career. Larson, completing her 17th professional season, is retiring still at the top of her game. This season, she led all outside hitters in kills and finished top five at the position in points, aces, blocks and digs. On Saturday night, she left everything she had on the court, finishing the night with a 19-kill, 20-dig double-double.

Creighton baseball began Big East play at UConn this weekend and departed Storrs, Conn. with a 1-2 record to begin league play. After taking Friday’s series-opening game 3-1, the Bluejays were outscored 22-11 in Saturday and Sunday’s losses.

Creighton will look to improve its conference standings when it hosts a home series against Seton Hall this weekend, before heading to Lincoln to avenge its March 31 home loss to the Cornhuskers on Tuesday evening.

Union Omaha defeated AV Alta FC on Saturday behind a fast start from its offense. Kempes Waldemar Tekiela got the Owls going with the first goal of the match in the eighth minute, before Pato Botello-Faz added a goal in the 20th minute to stretch the early lead to 2-0. Union Omaha’s Adrian Billhardt added another goal in the 82nd to put the Owls up 3-0 before AV Alta scored its only goal in the third minute of added time. Omaha secured the 3-1 win to improve to 3-1 on the regular season. Union Omaha will host Forward Madison FC on Saturday at Morrison Stadium at 4 p.m.

League One Volleyball (LOVB) announced its 2026 LOVB Icons on Wednesday. The program honors athletes who demonstrate exceptional performance and leadership throughout the 2026 LOVB Pro regular season while inspiring the next generation of volleyball players. Selected through a public voting process, 14 athletes were named to the First Team and Second Team through a weighted voting system that included fans (50%), players (25%) and coaches (25%), continuing to give fans, athletes and coaches a voice in recognizing the league’s top performers.

LOVB Nebraska outside hitter Jordan Larson was a unanimous selection to the LOVB Icons First Team, moving up from her Second Team spot last season. Nebraska rookie middle blocker Ana Carolina da Silva earned Second Team honors, and is one of three first-year players around the league to become a LOVB Icon.

Both Omaha baseball and softball had their Easter weekend series interrupted by inclement weather. Omaha baseball’s slate against South Dakota State was canceled, while Omaha softball’s trip to North Dakota was postponed. Baseball will return to play at home this weekend, hosting Oral Roberts for a series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. Softball will travel to St. Paul, Minn. to face St. Thomas in a series beginning Friday at 3 p.m.

The Omaha Storm Chasers clinched last week’s home series against the Buffalo Bisons, 4-2. Omaha is on the road this week against the Iowa Cubs, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Omaha dominated Tuesday’s opener, 8-1, before Iowa repaid the favor, overpowering the Storm Chasers in a midday game on Wednesday, 12-4. This week’s series will play through Sunday, and the Chasers will return home next Tuesday to host a series against the Indianapolis Indians. Every Storm Chasers game can be streamed live with an MLB.TV subscription.

Upcoming Events

• Omaha Storm Chasers at Iowa | April 7 – 12 | 7:08 p.m. Friday
• Omaha Supernovas vs. Grand Rapids Rise | Friday, April 10 | 8 p.m.
• Omaha softball at St. Thomas | April 10 – 12 | 3 p.m. Friday
• Creighton baseball vs. Seton Hall | April 10 – 12 | 6 p.m. Friday
• Omaha baseball vs. Oral Roberts | April 10 – 12 | 6 p.m. Friday
• Creighton softball vs. Georgetown | April 10 – 12 | 6 p.m. Friday
• Union Omaha vs. Forward Madison FC | Saturday, April 11 | 4 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas vs. Dallas Pulse | Sunday, April 12 | 4 p.m.
• Creighton baseball at #19 Nebraska | Tuesday, April 14 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha baseball at Kansas State | Tuesday, April 14 | Time TBA

The International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) has announced that John Cook, former head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball program and current general manager and co-owner of the Omaha Supernovas, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 IVHF Mayoral Award of Excellence.

The award will be formally presented on Friday, April 10, at the CHI Health Center during the Supernovas match versus the Grand Rapids Rise. The presentation will be made by Joshua Garcia, Mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts – the Birthplace of Volleyball – and George Mulry, Executive Director of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.

The IVHF Mayoral Award of Excellence recognizes individuals whose leadership has elevated volleyball as a powerful force within their community, driving civic pride, cultural connection and economic impact. John Cook exemplifies these qualities through his transformative leadership of Nebraska volleyball and his broader contributions to the sport’s growth across the state and beyond.

Over his distinguished career, Cook built Nebraska into one of the most successful and widely supported programs in collegiate athletics, helping to redefine the visibility and impact of women’s volleyball. His influence extends beyond championships and wins, fostering a culture that unites communities across Nebraska and elevates the sport as a central point of statewide identity.

In addition to his collegiate success, Cook has further invested in the future of women’s professional volleyball through his role as General Manager and Co-Owner of the Omaha Supernovas. The franchise has led the world in professional volleyball average attendance for the past two seasons, and finished 2025 with an average attendance of 10,925. Earlier this year, with Cook in the organization, the Supernovas set a new all-time U.S. professional volleyball attendance record, hosting a sellout crowd of 16,838 on March 14 in a five-set victory over the Indy Ignite, further reinforcing Cook’s impact and Nebraska’s position as a national leader in the sport. 

“John Cook represents the very best of what volleyball can mean to a community,” said Joshua Garcia, Mayor of Holyoke. “His leadership has shown how sport can unite people, inspire pride, and create moments that bring entire regions together. From Holyoke—the birthplace of volleyball—we are proud to recognize his incredible impact.”

“John has not only built one of the most successful programs in the history of the sport, but he has fundamentally changed how volleyball is experienced within a community,” said George Mulry, Executive Director of the IVHF. “From record-breaking crowds to investing in the professional future of the game, his vision has elevated volleyball as both a cultural force and a civic asset. This award recognizes the lasting impact he has made well beyond the court.”

“I’m incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Nebraska has always been a special place for volleyball, and everything I’ve helped build has been driven by the passion of our players, staff, and fans,” said Cook. “What’s meant the most to me is seeing how deeply this sport has connected with people in Nebraska and united communities across the state. To watch volleyball continue to grow here and beyond, and to be part of that at both the collegiate and professional levels, is something I’m very proud of.”

The award presentation at the Omaha Supernovas match will celebrate Cook’s enduring legacy and his role in elevating volleyball as both a sport and a civic asset.

The Omaha Supernovas announced today that the team has parted ways with Head Coach Luka Slabe and promoted Thomas Robson to interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season. Blake Rawlins will remain on staff as assistant coach alongside Robson.

Following the season, Robson will resume his role as assistant coach after signing an extension with the franchise through the 2028 season.

“These decisions are never easy, but we felt a change was needed at this time to align with the expectations and direction of our organization,” Supernovas co-owner Kirk Thompson said. “We appreciate Luka’s contributions and wish him the best moving forward. As part of this franchise from the beginning, we have full confidence in Thomas as he steps in as interim head coach with a focus on reaching the MLV Championship in Dallas.”

“Thomas has been a big part of what we’ve built here, and we have full belief in him stepping into this role,” General Manager & co-owner John Cook said. “Seeing firsthand the way he works with this group has been impressive, and he embodies what the Supernovas culture is all about. He understands this team, has their trust, and brings a presence that fits exactly what we need right now. We’re confident in him leading this team, and we’re excited to have him continue as a key part of our staff moving forward.”

A rising figure in the sport, Robson has played an instrumental role in Omaha’s on-court success over the past three seasons, highlighted by the Supernovas winning the inaugural MLV Championship in 2024 and guiding a retooled roster to the 2025 MLV Regular Season Championship.

The Supernovas (11-11) return to Kiewit Court at CHI Health Center Omaha this Friday, April 10, for the team’s “Volleyball After Dark Showcase.” The event will feature a UNK–Wayne State spring exhibition at 5 p.m., followed by the Supernovas taking on the Grand Rapids Rise at 8 p.m. CDT. Omaha will then host the Dallas Pulse on Sunday at 4 p.m. CDT.

Both matches will be broadcast statewide on Nebraska Public Media and can be heard on the Supernovas Radio Network, led by flagship station KCRO 660 AM.