PITTSBURGH – Former Big Ten all-conference selection and professional volleyball athlete, Hailey Murray, has been named a volunteer assistant, Duquesne volleyball head coach Steve Opperman announced today.
"Hailey's background of being an all-conference middle blocker at the University of Maryland and a former professional will help us tremendously," Opperman said of his newest hire. "She has stepped in from day one and showed her enthusiasm for the game and her drive to make our team better. Her high-level of playing experience and her passion will be a great benefit to us."
Murray completed her accolade-filled career at the University of Maryland ranked sixth all-time in block assists (356), seventh in total blocks (401) and 10th in career hitting percentage (.286). She posted a hitting percentage of .437 during her senior season in 2017, a school record which still stands today. She was named All-Big 10 honorable mention during her senior season and earned all-conference academic honors on three occasions.
During her junior season at College Park in 2016, current Duquesne assistant coach Fran Bolletino coached Murray as a volunteer assistant coach for the Terrapins.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from Steve Opperman while I am here at Duquesne," said Murray. "I spent the past three years away from college volleyball, and I am excited to be back in the Division I environment. The kids at Duquesne are great athletes, but more importantly great humans. I'm ready to see what they bring to the table this year."
After graduation, Murray played volleyball professionally in Austria (Asko Perg, 2017-18) and Spain (Feel Volley Alcobendas, 2018-19). She has previous served as an assistant coach at her high school alma mater National Cathedral School, Metro Volleyball Club and Feel Volley Alcobendas in Spain.
Murray earned a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science and policy in 2017 from UMD and is currently pursuing a doctorate in psychology from Duquesne.
