“She IS the main character,” Adidas wrote while announcing a NIL deal with Nebraska Cornhuskers women’s volleyball star Harper Murray. As if that line wasn’t enough, the German brand took things up a notch, teaming up with Nebraska to light up the Love Library by projecting the Nebraska superstar’s image onto the south side of the NLU library. Beyond fans and the volleyball world, even Murray herself seemed surprised, writing, “Is this real??” So, we bet it must feel nice to enjoy that kind of stardom, right?

Well, not exactly, per se. For starters, signing an NIL deal comes with a host of responsibilities, not to mention the challenge of balancing it with an emerging career. And while managing all of this can take a toll on a player’s mental and emotional health—even if being part of such opportunities brings joy—it’s only natural for Harper Murray to seek happiness and prioritize herself outside the very game she excels in.

Having joined Elle Duncan on ESPN’s ‘Vibe Check’ show, the youngster vocally shared that it’s not just volleyball that defines her life. Rather, it’s the little things that she finds joy in. So what are they? “Relationships are super important to me,” she began. “I have a lot of friends outside of the sports world at Nebraska.” For Harper, it’s not just about forging relationships within the sporting world—the Huskers’ star admitted she’s even made friends on the dance team.

Then again, beyond finding connections in sororities, there’s another surprising factor that helps her keep going. “I also see a therapist every week,” she added, “I see our sports psychologist, and they always help me talk through my emotions and feelings. Those two are definitely the biggest things for me.”

Sadly, whenever someone opts for therapy—especially in the sports world—a certain stigma often surrounds it, something Harper finds completely inaccurate. She believes that speaking with professionals is “super useful and a good opportunity to learn more about yourself, how to communicate, and understand your emotions.”

In fact, Harper takes pride in consulting her therapist and sports psychologist every week. She shared that one of her therapist’s key suggestions is to lean on music whenever she’s struggling or facing challenges, as it helps her feel better and find balance. That explains how she has been impressing the volleyball world with her shots. Not to mention that she was able to compel a brand like Adidas to offer her a remarkable deal, allowing her to “elevate” the sport she loves.

“The way they’ve invested in women’s volleyball and women’s sports more broadly makes me proud to join the Three-Stripe family and more motivated than ever to bring a national championship to Lincoln,” Harper Murray added, who made this significant switch after serving as Avoli’s brand ambassador for two years.

Either way, we’re glad that Murray is doing great, especially considering how past instances have almost left her stranded in her own negative thoughts. Thankfully, one should be grateful for the kind of support she was able to garner!

The past wasn’t easy for Harper Murray!

Having lost her father at just six years old, Harper Murray faced challenges early in life. She was also diagnosed with ADHD as a child. Heck, her offseason actions saw her become the talk of the town for the wrong reasons. When she was 19, Murray was pulled over by police on Vine Street and tested for drunk driving, with a blood alcohol level of 0.169—double the legal limit—resulting in a DUI.

The news quickly went viral, adding to her struggle with depression. Later, she faced further trouble after being caught shoplifting. These incidents were deeply difficult for Murray, and she didn’t expect much support during this troubled period of her life. “I was worried. I was just trying to numb myself and try to hurt myself before other people could…” she said.

But Murray was mistaken. Despite her struggles, the Huskers’ star found steady support and reassurance from her mother and coaches. “They knew what was going on, and they were trying to help me, and it just wasn’t enough. I knew I let them down. My coaches have been supportive, but I don’t feel like I deserve it.”

Her former coach, John Cook, shared that when he recruited Harper, he was aware of the challenges she faced—losing her father, being raised by a single mom, and moving all the way from Michigan. Despite pressure from others who suggested he “get rid of Harper and kick her out of the program,” Cook chose to show faith and confidence in her, even committing to act as a father figure during her time with the Huskers.

Today, she clearly enjoys her life both on and off the volleyball court. Guess that’s the beauty of time—it changes!