Murray provides spark for Lady Eagles
It’s really hard not to have favorites in this profession. Seeing these kids achieve their goals week in and week out while playing with a passion so intense it easily rubs off on everyone around them.
Holliday’s Payton Murray is one of my favorites.
You can always find her breaking out new dance moves in warm-ups or smiling after smashing a big kill for the Lady Eagles. Murray attributes all that energy to nerves.
“I am an emotional person,” she said. “Most people see it when I’m hyped and have the energy but it flips the other way too. Whenever I was a freshman, I didn’t really know how to handle it. I’ve definitely reined it in since then. When I scream or when I dance, that’s just what I feel. I’m nervous before games. When I dance or scream, that’s my outlet.”
Despite being the heart and soul of the Lady Eagles on the court, Murray’s transition from Iowa Park to Holliday in November of her sophomore year wasn’t an easy one.
“We played Decatur on a Thursday in the playoffs,” Murray explained. “We lost and the next day, I un-enrolled from Iowa Park and enrolled at Holliday and my whole life changed. Covid was kind of a blessing in disguise because it was so hard being at this new school. It kind of gave me a breather. (…) My best memory is coming here and making friendships I know are going to last. I’m so grateful they accepted me for who I am.”
In her first volleyball season, Murray let her play on the court do the talking. She earned the district’s MVP Blocker award to go along with an all-state selection while helping the Lady Eagles to the regional finals.
The Holliday senior points to the season-opening loss to Brock as the match that allowed everything to click.
“We lost that season opener to Brock and started thinking maybe we aren’t as good as we thought we were going to be. That loss kicked everything into gear. We kept improving. I kept improving. I went from a mediocre player to an all-state performer.”
After having limited postseason success with the Lady Hawks, Holliday’s winning tradition and Murray’s competitiveness was a match made in heaven.
“I was used to getting a playoff shirt, winning the first round and then losing. To go multiple rounds and see that high-level volleyball does exist. I just wanted to play at that level.”
She got her wish. After putting college coaches on-notice with a breakout 2020 season, Murray signed to play college ball with Lubbock Christian on Tuesday surrounded by family and friends.
This year, the Lady Eagles find themselves in the same situation in the postseason after earning a trip to the regional tournament. As one of the unquestioned leaders of the team, Holliday Head Coach Wendy Parker had high praises for her standout middle blocker.
“Everyone looks and listens to her,” Parker said. “She’s always super aware with what’s going on on the other side of the court. Her experience is invaluable. She does a great job during timeouts and between sets going over what is and isn’t working. She reinforces all the positive things and listens to what the other girls say. She’s always had the passion but there’s a sense of calm about her this year.”
“My role this year has changed completely,” Murray said. “Bree (Zellers) was our leader last year. Whatever she said we did. I didn’t really have that respect yet after coming over and in my first season of volleyball. I wanted to be that for us this year. I wanted to be the steady one that everyone could look up to. It’s crazy that I went from transferring from Iowa Park my sophomore year to being an impact player as a senior. I really do feel like I made it.”
When the Lady Eagles take the court tonight against Brownfield, Murray knows there’s still unfinished business to take care of, despite her plans to take the court for the Lady Chaps next fall.
“My volleyball story is not over yet. I think LCU is building something special and I can’t wait to be a part of that. That being said, this high school season isn’t done either. I really feel like we can go all the way.”
