Erin Murphy chosen to head Clare volleyball program

 By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

There are a whole bunch of reasons that Erin Murphy feels like a good fit for the Clare volleyball program. Murphy, who was hired back in February, is a counselor at the high school, so she is coming into this already knowing this group of players pretty well.

“I already have strong, established relationships with many of these student-athletes through my work as the high school counselor,” she said. “That rapport allows me to build trust, communicate effectively, and create an environment where athletes feel supported and valued.”

And for the volleyball side of things; she has been around the game for quite some time. She has been involved in volleyball since middle school; first as a player, all the way through high school and on a club team and then eventually as a coach. While living in Colorado she was an assistant coach for a club team, where she gained even more experience and knowledge for the game.

“Being named the head coach of our volleyball program is both an honor and a responsibility that I deeply value,” Murphy said. “Through my role as our high school counselor, I’ve built strong relationships with many of these student-athletes, and I look forward to strengthening those connections through a sport I’m passionate about. This opportunity allows me to impact their high school experience in another meaningful way; helping them grow not only as athletes, but as leaders, teammates, and young women prepared for life beyond the game.”

Considering that Murphy has enjoyed building relationships with her student athletes prior to this and throw in her love for the game, it should come as no surprise for what drew her to apply for the job.

“What attracted me most to this position is the opportunity to positively impact young women through a sport I am deeply passionate about,” she said. “Athletics provides so much more than competition. They teach resilience, accountability, teamwork, leadership, and how to navigate both success and adversity. As a school counselor, supporting students’ growth on and off the court aligns naturally with my passion and professional experience. The opportunity to coach these young women, help them develop their skills, and play even a small role in fostering a lifelong love for the sport is incredibly meaningful to me.

“More importantly, I am excited to help create an environment where student-athletes feel supported, challenged, and empowered to grow into strong, confident young women,” she added. “Being part of that journey is a responsibility I take to heart and one of the biggest reasons this position appealed to me.”

So far this summer the Pioneers have hosted their youth volleyball camp. Murphy added there will be some scrimmages that the team will attend as well.

The coach hopes that everything adds up to a program that cultivates success in multiple ways and a whole lot of positive memories along the way.

“Each year, as each player graduates, my greatest hope is that they leave with a lasting love for the game, but even more importantly, I hope they understand that their experience as a student-athlete was never just about wins, losses, statistics, or championships,” Murphy said. “Sports are a vehicle for something much bigger. They teach young people how to work alongside others, persevere through adversity, lead with confidence, communicate effectively, and remain committed even when things become difficult. They learn how to celebrate success with humility and respond to setbacks with resilience.”

Volleyball, like so many high school sports are a great opportunity for student athletes to gain life lessons and hopefully a whole bunch of positive memories.

“The game itself eventually ends, but the lessons do not,” Murphy said. “The habits they build, the relationships they form, and the character they develop will serve them far beyond their final season. Years from now, they may not remember every score or every match, but they will remember the feeling of belonging to something bigger than themselves, the teammates who became family, and the life lessons that helped shape who they became. That is the true purpose of playing sports. It’s about developing capable, resilient, confident people who are prepared for life long after the final whistle blows.”