She’s a pro, bro

MUNCIE — Kylie Murr started the month of May by leading the Vegas Thrill in digs as it rallied for a five-set victory over the Orlando Valkyries.

She finished by sharing her skills with area athletes.

Murr, a 2019 Yorktown High School graduate who just completed her first season with the fledgling Pro Volleyball Federation, led the Pro Bro Camp on May 29 at Delta Middle School.

“It’s definitely a lot of excitement,” said Jay County High School freshman Brenna Ruble, “knowing that she’s done it her whole life and now she’s pro. And we’re only in high school, learning off of her. It’s definitely exciting.”

“It’s something you don’t realize it’s so much different than just being coached by your coach (because she’s playing right now),” added Patriot sophomore Hallie Schwieterman.

The Thrill drafted Murr out of the University of Minnesota in the third round of the Pro Volleyball Federation’s inaugural draft. She went on to finish second in the league in digs per set (4.02), trailing only Morgan Hentz of the Atlanta Vibe, and third in total digs with 358 in 89 sets.

She also had only 11 serve receive errors in 403 attempts.

Just two-and-a-half weeks after walking off the court following the Vegas squad’s season finale, Murr found herself surrounded by more than 50 local high school athletes. The former Ohio State University and University of Minnesota libero offered her advice. Working on setting, she said players tend to rush.

She shared her own trick — wait, wait, set — to help slow down the process.

“I will literally say it when I’m setting,” Murr told the girls. “It just reminds me to be patient.”

She shared other basics — holding platform, having good shoulders, picking a side — to help build up the young athletes around her.

“If they can just start doing those things now, it’s only going to be easier for them when they grow up,” Murr said.

But she added that the game is about more than the physical skills.

“I think just starting off being a good teammate and having that energy,” Murr said. “That will take you so far in life.”

The message seemed to be resonating.

“It’s good to have a good attitude and not get down on yourself if you make one mistake,” said Ruble. “You can always come back and do better.”

Murr was a three-time all-state player at Yorktown and helped lead the Tigers to state championships in 2016 and ’18. She went on to Ohio State, where she led the Big Ten in digs and digs per set in her freshman season. She became the first player in Buckeye volleyball history to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, when she was also a first-team All-Big Ten selection.

Taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, Murr played a fifth collegiate season at Minnesota. She earned first-team All-Big Ten honors again for the Golden Gophers, averaging 4.18 digs per set.

She then got drafted by the Thrill and was looking for something to do locally as the season, which ran from January through mid-May, came to a close. Her mom, former Yorktown coach Rhonda Wilson, reached out to Delta coach Kylie Johnson. Plans for the late-May camp came together quickly.

“I just think Kylie (Murr) is a big deal in this day and age because women’s sports are growing so rapidly,” Johnson said, mentioning Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. “We have a couple superstars that are making this happen, but Kylie’s a local superstar for us. And it’s just really cool to have all of these players and coaches, who played at all different collegiate levels. We have a room full of kids today that that’s their dream too.”

Joining Murr as coaches for the camp were Delta graduate and Indiana Wesleyan University defensive specialist Camaya Murry; Wapahani graduates Reese Baker (current Ball State University defensive specialist) and Havyn Gates (former Indiana Wesleyan and Ball State libero); Yorktown graduates Addi Rains (Clemson University defensive specialist) and Lilly Vester (Bethel University defensive specialist); New Castle graduate and current graduate assistant for Xavier University Zoe Conway; and Pendleton Heights graduate and current Indiana University libero Ramsey Gary; along with Delta coaches Haley Cross, Bailey Cooper and Johnson.

With the Pro Volleyball Federation in its first season this year, all players were on one-year contracts. That means Murr, and all of the league’s veterans, are now free agents.

While she plans to continue to play — “as long as my knees let me,” she said — wherever she can get a contract, she’s hopeful that it can be with the Indy Ignite. The squad that will be added to the league to help bring it to 10 teams for its second season will play its home matches at the Fishers Event Center, a 40-minute driver from where she played in high school.

Being there, she said, would give her the ability to give back to her hometown and the extended Munciana Volleyball community that got her started in the sport she loves.

“I just think it’s super special,” Murr said. “I think there’s a lot of people in it who care about the game, like I do. … I think without this town and Delaware County and my coaches … I wouldn’t be the player I am today. So I want to make that impact on someone else.”