After a successful freshman season in a daunting new conference, middle blocker Hailey Murray's Big Ten rivals became her teammates on the inaugural Big Ten volleyball foreign tour.
Murray was selected to participate in the first-ever Big Ten volleyball foreign tour in May. As just a sophomore, the Washington, D.C., native traveled to Slovenia, Croatia and Italy with students from the other 13 conference programs from June 13-25.
“It was such an honor to be selected to the team,” Murray said. “I have to give so much credit to Steve [Aird] and the rest of the coaching staff because I wouldn't have had this opportunity without them.”
The Big Ten team participated in seven matches in Europe, including five against national teams. Murray embraced competing against the Slovenia, Hungarian, Croatian and Italian national squads.
“It was so much fun. They're older and they're more experienced and they're just so calm,” said Murray. “It felt so cool when I would get a point against them, and I just thought, 'Wow, I'm only 18 and I'm getting this awesome opportunity.'”
Although she gained some valuable lessons from her opponents, Murray also took the time to learn from her conference teammates, which featured eight upperclassmen and six student-athletes who competed in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
“Seeing how they work and the maturity they have about it,” Murray said. “A lot of them are upperclassmen and have a lot of experience playing in high pressure situations against elite talent. They all had good advice and they were really helpful the entire time.
“I think the biggest thing I picked up on was their demeanor,” Murray added. “They're in control of their emotions, which makes them better teammates on the court.”
Murray and her teammates also bonded off the court as they volunteered at a Slovenian elementary school and with a Croatian club volleyball team.
After spending nearly two weeks together and becoming friends, it might seem awkward for Murray to play against her Big Ten teammates this fall. However, she embraces the new relationships and is looking forward to the competition.
“I think it'll make it more fun,” Murray said. “I now have someone I can be a little cheeky with across the net since I'm friends with them now. We'll hug each other before and after the match, but during we'll compete hard against each other.”
