Harper Murray, the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ junior outside hitter, is primed for a breakout 2025 volleyball season, with her trajectory positioning her as a strong contender for National Player of the Year honors. The 6-foot-2 Michigan native, already a two-time AVCA All-American, has shown exponential growth since her freshman year, overcoming personal challenges to become a leader for a Nebraska team eyeing a sixth national title under new head coach Dani Busboom Kelly. While no definitive prediction crowns her as the 2025 National Player of the Year, her stats, resilience, and the Huskers’ high-profile platform make her a compelling candidate.
Murray’s freshman season in 2023 was electric, earning her Big Ten Freshman of the Year, AVCA Third-Team All-American honors, and the Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year award for her high school performance (726 kills, .405 hitting percentage). She averaged 3.23 kills per set and led Nebraska with 36 service aces, helping the Huskers reach the NCAA Championship match. Her sophomore year in 2024 was even stronger, with 3.40 kills per set, a .257 hitting percentage, and a team-high 39 aces, earning AVCA Second-Team All-American honors and the NCAA Lincoln Regional Most Outstanding Player award. Her career-high 22 kills and 16 digs in a 3-1 regional semifinal win showcased her ability to dominate both offensively and defensively.
The 2025 season offers Murray a perfect storm for a breakout. Nebraska’s spring scrimmages, including a 4-0 sweep over Kansas where Murray debuted a jump serve, highlighted her evolving skill set. Her five kills and five digs in that match, despite limited play, signal her readiness to lead a stacked roster featuring All-Americans like Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick. Under Busboom Kelly, who brings fresh strategies from Louisville, Murray’s versatility as a six-rotation player—honed at Ann Arbor Skyline and Legacy Volleyball Club—positions her to shine in a system emphasizing dynamic offense.
Murray’s personal journey adds depth to her candidacy. After a turbulent 2024 offseason involving a DUI and shoplifting incident, she completed probation, engaged in community service, and leaned on her teammates and former coach John Cook, whom she called a “father figure.” Her emotional MVP moment at the 2024 NCAA Lincoln Regional, where she tearfully thanked her team, resonated widely, as noted by Sports Illustrated. This redemption arc, coupled with her community outreach—like gifting tickets to young fans in Ord, Nebraska—has endeared her to fans and elevated her leadership profile.
National Player of the Year awards, like the AVCA’s, often favor players from top teams with standout stats and intangibles. Nebraska’s 2024 season (33-3, Final Four
