Harper Murray is a Winner—and She Wants to Keep it That Way

3 min readHarper Murray likes to win—and she’s good at it.The University of Nebraska outside hitter has become one of the faces of collegiate volleyball. Standing at 6’2”, Murray knows how to make an impact, and that is exactly what she has done for the Huskers.After an illustrious high school career in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Murray hit the ground running in Lincoln. At the end of her first season, she was named the Big 10 Volleyball Freshman of the Year.Now a senior, Murray says her approach hasn’t changed.“I know how to do all the things, so I’m not really changing anything or taking a different approach,” she says. “I’m just trying to bring more experience to the court, because I’ve done this for four years now.”Murray comes from a family of athletes—winning athletes, to be specific. Her late father was Vada Murray, a standout defensive back for the University of Michigan. He passed away when she was six years old, and she and her sister, Kendall, an outside hitter for Michigan, both wear the number 27 to honor him.Nebraska’s 2026 season got off to a hectic start with what Murray called a “crazy non-conference schedule.” All eyes were on the Huskers, and they opened the season in August sitting at No. 1 in the preseason AVCA Coaches Poll.This was the third time in five years they started the season at the top, with the past seasons being 2025 and 2022. They started off hot with six straight sweeps in their first six games.The team also won the inaugural Spikes Under the Lights, a premium college volleyball showcase, that took place at AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys). The Huskers walked away with the $1 million prize pool—the largest ever awarded in women’s college sports.“We started with the most insane games ever, just in the weirdest places possible,” Murray says, laughing.The team is currently sitting at a more-than-comfortable record of 15-0, which includes a huge straight-set win over No. 2 Texas. In fact, the Huskers are carrying an astounding regular-season match win streak of 46 games since 2024.Despite her consistency as a powerhouse player, Murray admits she’s hard on herself. She’s learned to keep what she sees on her own stat sheet in perspective.“I just keep reminding myself that that’s not the whole story,” she says. “I know people who play sports and are big sports fans might understand that.”That perspective has come with experience, both on and off the court. “Over time, I’ve just realized that I don’t have to be liked by everyone, and I don’t have to have everything be great all the time,” she says. “I’ve gained a better support system and more friends that I can trust and that are close to me.”Murray hopes to play volleyball for as long as possible. Taking care of her feet is one way she’s working toward that goal. She’s partnered with VKTRY, which makes carbon-fiber insoles designed to support athletes’ performance and health.At Nebraska, that commitment to the game comes with pressure. Murray says she embraces it, even when playing in front of a packed crowd can feel intimidating.“You feel like you have the weight of the world on you when you’re playing in front of our fans and you’re playing in front of that many people,” she says. “But I think that I’ve just tried to take it really slow and just trust the process, because I know I’m a good volleyball player.”“I’ve just tried to take it really slow and just trust the process, because I know I’m a good volleyball player.”She’s also watched the sport change—and grow—during her college career. Nebraska is consistently breaking records with attendance, speaking to the rise in support of women’s volleyball.Murray says with the growth of the sport as well as her own following, she does her best to stay grounded and remain grateful.“When I really sit with myself and think about it, it’s so crazy to me,” Murray says. “At the same time, I’m so lucky, and I think so many people would die to be in the position that I’m in, so I’m really grateful for that.”Alyssa Cruz is the social media editor at Women’s Health, where she drives social strategy and helps shape the brand’s voice across platforms. Prior to WH, she worked at CBS News and palabra. Originally from Toledo, she is a proud alumna of Ohio University, where she received two bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish. When she is not creating social content, you can find her trying different restaurants in New York City or planning her next trip.