Women’s volleyball has surged in popularity across the United States, with participation and viewership increasing by more than 30% between 2018 and 2024. Leading this movement is the University of Nebraska’s Division I women’s volleyball team, a powerhouse that has not only dominated the court but also cultivated one of the largest and most loyal fan bases in college sports.
On August 30, 2023, Nebraska made history. At Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, 92,003 spectators filled the stands—breaking attendance records not only for women’s college volleyball but for women’s sports worldwide (Sports Analytics Group at Berkeley, 2023). The event marked a turning point for women’s athletics, inspiring a new generation of young athletes to chase their volleyball dreams at the high-school, collegiate, and professional levels.
Yet behind the program’s success lies the tremendous pressure, scrutiny, and emotional weight that come with competing at such a high level. Despite the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ extraordinary influence on the growth of women’s volleyball, their players are not immune to the mental and emotional challenges that often accompany high-level competitive sports and performance. One starting athlete who courageously opened up about her own struggles with mental health is Nebraska’s star outside hitter, Harper Murray.
A Rising Star with a Legacy of Strength
Harper Murray came to Nebraska from Michigan State in 2023 with sky-high dreams and expectations, but she also carried emotional experiences that shaped her. Harper lost her father, Vada Murray, after a three-year battle with lung
cancer when she was just six years old. To honor his memory, she chose #27 as her jersey number, the same number her father wore as a football player for the University of Michigan. It was more than just a number for Harper, it was a reminder of where she comes from, who she plays for, the legacy she carries, and why she pushes herself to endless limits.
The Hidden Cost of Perfection
During her freshman season, Murray was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. However, behind the endless awards and recognitions for her athleticism, she faced an internal mental health battle that few saw. After Nebraska’s tough fight but
heartbreaking loss in the 2023 NCAA National Championship, Murray made a statement in the postgame press conference confidently claiming that her team would win national championships for the next three years. Her statement was met with intense backlash and criticism on social media, and she endured cyber attacks, including harmful messages encouraging her to die by suicide.
Throughout this intense cyberbullying, Murray’s mental health struggles only exacerbated, leading her to skip classes, drive under the influence, and shoplift from a local store—all behaviors that were entirely out of character for the young athlete. The volleyball star was eventually admitted into a psychiatric emergency room and began therapeutic treatment,
all while also receiving support from family members, coaches, friends, and mental health professionals who guided her through her mental health struggles.
Healing Out Loud
Murray has courageously opened up about her depression and mental health struggles in recent years, sharing her healing journey with the world, including many young female athletes who look up to the star as a role-model. She described her struggle with mental health as exhausting, yet rewarding, emphasizing that healing is ongoing and nonlinear. By sharing her story publicly, she reframed her image—not as a “fallen star,” but as a real person navigating life’s challenges under extraordinary pressure.
Not only has Murray shared her vulnerable experiences openly with her fans and the world, but she moves forward in her volleyball career with a bigger purpose of empowering young female athletes in the sports world.
A Platform for Purpose
Beyond her personal journey with mental health, Murray has committed to a larger purpose of using her platform to empower female athletes and destigmatize mental health in sports. She is intentional about spreading awareness through interviews, her social media platforms, and engaging with communities of young athletes. As highlighted by Extra Inning Softball, supporting female athletes means creating safe environments where they can feel seen, heard, and supported without judgment. Murray has shown up at girls volleyball camps and recently co-hosted a large youth camp in Nebraska where over 1,000 young female volleyball players attended. Through these camps, Murray doesn’t just share her skills and expertise in the sport of volleyball, but she creates a space for young athletes to feel free to
express themselves and their journeys, modeling how vulnerability is a sign of strength.
Redefining Success in Sports
Today, Harper Murray continues to encourage athletes to prioritize their mental and emotional well-being just as much as their physical health and athletic performance. She reminds the world, especially women in sports, that vulnerability is a form of strength and courage—and in doing so, she challenges unrealistic expectations of perfection. Through her openness and normalization of self-care, she is redefining what it means to be a successful athlete in today’s world. Through her leadership and advocacy, Murray is helping shape a sports culture where mental health is valued, authenticity is celebrated, and every athlete feels free to be human.
If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, contact us to connect with one of our therapists who can help you on your wellness journey.