It was a “house full of Huskers tonight,” as Hail Varsity put it at the CHI Health Center arena. Some big names from the Nebraska Athletics graced the front row to support Ally Batenhorst and co as they took on the Columbus Fury on home ground. Everyone from volleyball star Harper Murray to Nebraska’s highest-paid coach Matt Rhule showed up to support their home PVF team.

Rhule arrived earlier and took his front-row seat when Murray walked in with her boyfriend and Huskers tight end Heinrich Haarber. Dayton Raiola, who has committed to join the Huskers football squad in 2026 was also with them. As the trio made their way to the seats, Murray approached Coach Rhule and wished him a ‘happy birthday‘ with a warm hug.

The mastermind behind Huskers football turned 50 on January 31 and also brought his family to the Supernova vs. Fury game. Harper Murry greeted the coach’s family members as well, including hugs for Matt Rhule’s children Bryant, Vivienne, and Leona Rhule. Haarber and Raiola followed suit in greeting their coach. However, Murray got her own celebration at the stadium.

Murray shared a clip on her Instagram story that captured the moment she featured on the jumbotron in the middle of the court. While the announcer announced her presence at CHI Health Center, the crowd roared in cheers. “This state loves @harpermurrayy,” Hurrdat Sports captioned the clip. It was easy to see why everyone in Nebraska loves the Huskers star.

Murray even shared a clip of the action where she tagged Batenhorst, the former Husker-turned-pro volleyball star. However, simply supporting her teammates wasn’t the former Freshman of the Year’s only objective.

Harper Murray was there to support a greater cause

The Nebraska Huskers player explained all her reasons behind attending the game during her conversation with Ana Bellinghausen. “It’s my first time at one of these games, and I’m really glad Dylan and I and Heinrich and I had the idea to come,” Murray told the reporter. Murray elaborated, that her goal was to bring attention to the sport on National Girls and Women in Sports Night.

“It’s really special to see all the girls here and little girls watching,” added Harper Murray. Helping popularize the sport while encouraging the next generation to follow in their footsteps is exactly what the athlete wanted to do on Sports Night. In fact, the volleyball player didn’t just say it on camera but stuck around to give her fans a chance to interact.

“Always meet your idols,” wrote Hail Varsity while posting images of the outside hitter taking selfies with many of the young girls who attended the Supernovas vs. Fury clash. Murray also managed to meet Ally Batenhorst. The 2024 BIG10 champion linked up with the former Husker and the pair even shot a TikTok together.

Batenhorst and Harper Murray were in splits while filming the video, while Heinrich Haarber patiently stood behind the camera. So while the volleyball star attended the game with plans to support women’s sports and volleyball, she remembered to wish Coach Rhule on his birthday the moment they met.