For Harper Murray, her time with the Nebraska Huskers has been a life-changing affair. After a disappointing end to her freshman season, the volleyball star spiraled amidst mental health troubles. However, former head coach John Cook brought her back to light with constant encouragement and support. Maybe that’s why the OH was so emotional when the veteran coach announced his retirement last year. “It’s truly almost impossible to put into words how much he means to me,” she bid goodbye to Coach Cooper in a heartfelt note. And now, as Harper settles down in the Huskers’ new era under Dani Busboom Kelly, it looks like the former wants more people to know what being a part of the Nebraska clan means.

The Huskers are easily one of the most prolific volleyball programs in the country. Along with dominating in the NCAA, the team has also been crucial in promoting the sport at the national level. Now, as the Lincoln squad begins its 2025-26 campaign, Harper Murray looks to give more volleyball fans a chance to be a part of her journey.

The Huskers take on South Dakota State in Orlando on May 3. Murray & Co. started off the new season with a sweeping 4-0 win over the Kansas Jayhawks for their Spring Game on April 26, and will look to maintain the momentum this Saturday as well. But Harper also wants to continue the winning streak in front of a full house. On April 28, the Huskers volleyball sensation took to X to share that she is looking to send out her three extra tickets for the game to little Nebraska fans as a treat.

“I’d like to give my extra tickets for Saturday’s match in Ord to kids who live near Ord & were unable to get tickets. I’d love for a family w/ little Husker fans to use the tickets,” she wrote on her social media update, underscoring that the applications would be reviewed by Harper and her mom to decide on the lucky ones. A chance of a lifetime, indeed! However, this isn’t the first time that Murray is willing to go the extra mile for her fans.

Just days ago, the OH spent four hours signing autographs for Nebraska loyalists in Chicago at a club tournament. But while the fans were ecstatic to get their hands on Harper Murray memorabilia, the star was also equally thrilled by the experience. “It was really special. It was just really fun, just to see all those little girls wanna come and be in my presence,” she later noted her happiness about being able to be part of something special.

But what prompts Murray to be so considerate of the fans’ demands again and again? Maybe it has something to do with how she found herself a family and comrades to rely on as a Nebraska student-athlete.

Harper Murray wants everyone to know: Nebraska means more

The Huskers finished the 2023 season within a hand’s reach of the national championships. After an incredible campaign, Nebraska was finally defeated by the Texas Longhorns in the NCAA finals. While having to stop so close to being the nation’s champs was indeed heartbreaking, Coach Cook couldn’t be prouder of his team. “One of the greatest seasons we have ever had at Nebraska this year,” Cook said after the loss, while highlighting that the one loss didn’t define them. But it was freshman Harper Murray who wanted to turn things radically better. “I think we’re going to win three national championships the next three years,” she said in a press conference after the loss to Texas.

But that, unexpectedly, caught a lot of flak. “Making that comment just opened up like a whole new world of hate that I never thought I was going to get. I just got a bunch of hate comments,” Harper revealed in a YouTube video in December 2024. She also, begrudgingly, noted how she cried herself to sleep every night for the longest time after being subjected to so much hate. The allegations and the loss at the NCAA finals also threw Murray into a depressive fugue, which she struggled to get out of.

Subsequently came the DUI arrest and shoplifting charges, which further affected the volleyball star’s mental health. But John Cook wasn’t letting the controversies get in his way of helping his star OH. “When I recruited Harper, she lost her dad. Had a single mom. She’s coming all the way from Michigan. I made a commitment to her to be her father figure,” the former Huskers’ coach recalled, and never left her side during the troubled times.

Quite possibly, Murray has all those fond memories tucked inside a special locker in her brain. And now, as she looks to share that Nebraska love with others, it remains to be seen if those extra cheers help the Huskers bag their second win of the season.