Edmond Memorial High School’s very own head Volleyball Coach Natalie Murray was recently awarded the title of Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association’s Volleyball Coach of the Year. From keeping her team motivated through the season and going all the way to win first at the state tournament last year, many believe this award was well deserved.
“I didn’t know I had been given the award,” Murray said. “I actually found out when my classroom neighbor, [Justin] Buckner, came over and congratulated me.”
Although the award has her name on it, Murray believes that the award should be for all of the EMHS volleyball staff. They are always helping out, putting in the hard work and dedication it takes to coach such a successful team.
“She’s just the type of person that is so deserving, but she wants to shed light on others as well,” freshman Volleyball Coach Elanna Dobbs said.
Not only do Murray and her fellow coaches focus on preparing the players physically, but they also make sure they are mentally tough enough for the sport. This helps the girls remain determined and confident in their abilities on and off the court.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a coach put in the amount of hours on mental training as she does,” Dobbs said. “I feel like the girls are very successful because of it.”
The players, especially, have been affected by Murray’s coaching styles. Her mental training has shaped the minds of her players into tough and confident girls and prepared them for their future athletic careers.
“She’s impacted my volleyball career so much. She always pushes us during practice and sets really high goals for us,” varsity volleyball player Madison Hathaway said.
Murray herself was inspired to become a volleyball coach from her own experience playing the sport. She competed in high school and in college at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. Over her years coaching volleyball, she has learned to become a better player and coach to her teams.
“I’ve learned so much just by being with the girls, and it’s really helped me in motherhood as well,” Murray said.
From the way Murray coaches EMHS’s award-winning volleyball team to her pure humility when it came to accepting the award, it is clear that she is more than deserving of the title of OSSAA Volleyball Coach of the Year.
Contact Macey Thaxotn at [email protected]
