2008 Woodie Awards
Kelsey Murphy
Clemson Volleyball player Kelsey Murphy, national player of the week, takes time to talk to The Tiger.
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Sports
THE TIGER: You were named national player of the week by Collegiate Volleyball Update. You've put up some impressive numbers in your career but what did the triple-double (Sunday against Florida A&M) mean to you? Did someone tell you immediately afterwards or did you realize during the game the kind of day you were having?
KELSEY MURPHY: I think my Grandma actually called me the next day. So no, I had no idea.
TT: Where does being named national player of the week rank among your career accomplishments?
KM: Definitely up there; it was a huge honor.
TT: Do you feel the attention focused on your team has increased and how has the atmosphere inside of Jervey has changed since you've been at Clemson? What impact has winning the ACC championship had on this?
KM: There are a lot of more people coming out and supporting. Jervey is one of the hardest places to play at for the other teams because of the atmosphere and all of the people supporting us.
TT: What's the most interesting thing you've seen as a collegiate athlete at another gym?
KM: When we just played at Virginia Tech, they had pictures of Jolene back from 1985 and her college picture on sticks and were chanting Hoover.
TT: Your aunt played volleyball for Clemson and former player Megan McEnery and current assistant coach Jodi Steffes attended the same high school as you did. How much influence did this play in you choosing Clemson?
KM: When I was younger I used to come here and watch my aunt, being here and her positive talk about the school really persuaded me to come and take a visit, and I just fell in love with the campus, the team, the coaches, everybody.
TT: This season has had some ups and downs for the team. Where do you see it going from here and what can the team improve on?
KM: I definitely think we're going to keep persevering, and keep fighting and battling through every game and every point, and I definitely think we're going to try to go out and win every game and point we can.
TT: As a leader of the team, what did you learn from the seniors on last year's team, Sue Eckman, Meghan Steiner and Leslie Mansfield? What do you try to pass on to the younger players on this team?
KM: Their positivity and their constant encouragement is something I'm striving to do. They were really vocal leaders.
TT: What has been your favorite moment playing volleyball so far? And what do you want to accomplish that you haven't done yet?
KM: My favorite moment was beating Duke at home last year; [it] was probably the highlight. I am just looking forward to breaking my aunt's records because I think she's right ahead of me in assists.
KELSEY MURPHY: I think my Grandma actually called me the next day. So no, I had no idea.
TT: Where does being named national player of the week rank among your career accomplishments?
KM: Definitely up there; it was a huge honor.
TT: Do you feel the attention focused on your team has increased and how has the atmosphere inside of Jervey has changed since you've been at Clemson? What impact has winning the ACC championship had on this?
KM: There are a lot of more people coming out and supporting. Jervey is one of the hardest places to play at for the other teams because of the atmosphere and all of the people supporting us.
TT: What's the most interesting thing you've seen as a collegiate athlete at another gym?
KM: When we just played at Virginia Tech, they had pictures of Jolene back from 1985 and her college picture on sticks and were chanting Hoover.
TT: Your aunt played volleyball for Clemson and former player Megan McEnery and current assistant coach Jodi Steffes attended the same high school as you did. How much influence did this play in you choosing Clemson?
KM: When I was younger I used to come here and watch my aunt, being here and her positive talk about the school really persuaded me to come and take a visit, and I just fell in love with the campus, the team, the coaches, everybody.
TT: This season has had some ups and downs for the team. Where do you see it going from here and what can the team improve on?
KM: I definitely think we're going to keep persevering, and keep fighting and battling through every game and every point, and I definitely think we're going to try to go out and win every game and point we can.
TT: As a leader of the team, what did you learn from the seniors on last year's team, Sue Eckman, Meghan Steiner and Leslie Mansfield? What do you try to pass on to the younger players on this team?
KM: Their positivity and their constant encouragement is something I'm striving to do. They were really vocal leaders.
TT: What has been your favorite moment playing volleyball so far? And what do you want to accomplish that you haven't done yet?
KM: My favorite moment was beating Duke at home last year; [it] was probably the highlight. I am just looking forward to breaking my aunt's records because I think she's right ahead of me in assists.
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