Here’s a quick look at some of their responses regarding Thursday’s 8:30 p.m. semifinal showdown with No. 9 overall seed, Kansas (30-2).

NEBRASKA COACH JOHN COOK: I’m just really proud to be the Nebraska coach for a couple reasons. One, to have our team in this event. It’s been a long journey since January for us to set the goal to get here, knowing that Nebraska is hosting the Final Four is a big accomplishment. It’s been a long journey. So, obviously, we’re excited to be here.

I’m also really proud that the state of Nebraska is putting out their best foot forward. It’s a sellout, great arena, great environment for an NCAA National Championship. The people running this, I’ve already heard several compliments from other people about how well organized and how well taken care of everybody is. So Omaha rocks. They know how to do it right. It’s an honor and privilege to be here.

Q. Coach, as you study Kansas more since Monday’s practice, what stands out most about Kansas?

COACH COOK: They’ve got a couple of really nice athletes. Kelsie Payne was named First Team All-American today. Their center is their leader, an emotional leader. They’re a very emotional team. She was named First Team All-American today as well. Right there shows you they’ve got talent.

I think they’re a very good passing defensive team and solid. So they’re well balanced. But you pretty much know Payne is going to get most of the balls. They’re just a very tenacious defensive team. Like I said, they serve and pass well.

Q. John, what do you make of the no West Coast teams here?

COACH COOK: So the story today is that Mark Manning was so excited that he did a wrestling head butt and took me out. That’s the story today.

I think it’s awesome that four teams are from the Midwest. I look at it this way is that way back, Nebraska and Texas kind of opened the door, and then Penn State, that it was a non-West Coast championship. Now you’re seeing teams like BYU, Kansas, that are breaking the doors down in regards to anybody can get into this Final Four and this NCAA Championship and any program. So I think you’re seeing great balance across the country.

It’s great for the sport. I think it creates great stories. Similar to what men’s basketball does in the NCAA Tournament, where a Butler can be in the Final Four. So it’s great that the sport is not dominated by the same teams all the time, and I think it’s just making it more and more exciting.

It’s also harder to get to a Final Four. So the teams that are traditionally there, it’s harder and harder to get there. That’s why we feel so appreciative that we got here this year.

I also look at Texas, who’s been here five years straight, which is an amazing accomplishment.

Q. Kelly, this is a Kansas team that’s very good serving. They actually average more aces than you guys do, and you’re a very good serving team. Talk about what you know about their serve and what special challenge that presents.

KELLY HUNTER: Any time my team can come out and serve tough, that just makes it harder against whatever opponent they’re playing. We have great passers, and I don’t think they get enough credit. I trust them. I know Coach Cook trusts them. Everyone trusts them to be able to pass these balls.

Q. Coach, how surprised were you that you’re going to be playing Kansas and not USC tomorrow night?

COACH COOK: In this tournament, nothing surprised me. We were so focused on — I mean, I felt like we had as tough a regional as anybody. We were so focused on that, I’m not even sure I could have told you we were going to play the winner of the Kansas-USC until after our match. That’s where all of our energy and attention and focus went to.

I really didn’t pay much attention to any of the regionals and what was going on. The only thing I paid attention to was how many Big Ten teams are in it and advancing because we feel a connection to the other teams in the Big Ten. Until we got home and started watching, I imagine you look at who the matchups would be.

Q. I know Nebraska volleyball is good, but any other run, 86-0-1 (like you are all-time against Kansas), against another team at any level you’ve been a part of? Have you been a part of a streak like that against any other team?

COACH COOK: I haven’t been — that goes way back to probably before I was even born. No, none of that really matters right now. What matters is that the semifinals and Final Four. There’s four teams here that can win a National Championship. I think that’s the most important thing. I don’t know what else to really say about that.

Kansas is a great team. After studying them on video, I can see why they’re here.

Q. Kelly, talk about playing in front of what will probably be a sea of red here tomorrow night. Fun? Nerves? Anything?

KELLY HUNTER: I think our crowd is amazing. They’ve always been amazing from the Coliseum to Devaney. Now to see this filled up is huge. Our fans have been with us through losses and wins. I think they’re the greatest fans in all of college volleyball. I know they’re going to be excited to watch us play. So we need to give them something to cheer for and give them something to root for.