Kendall Murray’s story is one of love and loss. The 27-year-old opposite hitter/outside hitter lost her father, Vada, to lung cancer in April 2011. For a fact, neither he nor his parents ever smoked, making the diagnosis all the more puzzling. He, too, attended the University of Michigan like his second-born. Of course, they found their calling in different sports. Vada Murray played defensive back in football while Kendall Murray plays volleyball.
According to Vada Murray’s wife, Sarah, though he is physically absent, his presence is still felt. Kendall Murray exemplifies his strong will, particularly in the way she carries herself, as her mother pointed out. Clearly, it is not just their choice of college that united father and daughter. The latter made her presence felt during the Michigan Wolverines’ most recent volleyball match.
Massive win for Michigan Wolverines against Rutgers
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On their official X handle, the Michigan Wolverines posted a picture of Kendall Murray and her teammates exulting post the win over Rutgers University. The words adjoining the image went thus: “Career Day for Kendall Murray and 11 aces helped Michigan take down Rutgers in four sets!”
Career Day for Kendall Murray and 11 aces helped Michigan take down Rutgers in four sets!
📰: https://t.co/3bZthQKQrW#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/yozh1uClTb
— Michigan Volleyball (@umichvball) November 12, 2023
The Michigan Wolverines women’s volleyball team took on the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights away from home on Sunday. They came into this game on the back of a capitulation away to the Penn State Nittany Lions. Before that, they had won three matches in succession. Their record prior to this game inspired no confidence, as they were 6-18. All that would change, with Kendall Murray playing a starring role. She led the way with 24 kills, two aces, and one assist. Up next for the Wolverines is a trip away to the nation’s best team, the Nebraska Cornhuskers as a family battle is also on the cards.
Volleyball clash between siblings honoring their father
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The youngest of the Murray clan, Harper, plays for the Cornhuskers. Both of Vada Murray’s daughters wear the number 27 for their respective teams. That number has added significance for the family, particularly the sisters, given he sported the same during his college football days.
The sisters’ last meeting on the volleyball court ended in Harper’s favor. She ended the match with 13 kills, two aces, three blocks, and 11 digs. In contrast, her older sister managed one ace and two blocks in a 29-27, 25-17, 25-14 loss. That match was played in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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The Nebraska Cornhuskers are presently 25-0 for the season. It will take a lot to stop that juggernaut. All that remains is to see which sibling emerges victor on this occasion. Will Harper walk away with bragging rights once more? Or can Kendall lead her team to an upset?
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