Macie Murray Feature

Macie Murray Volleyball Career Article

Amaya Katherine Kohli, Feature Editor (Class of 2028)

Family. That was the word that came up 13 times during my conversation with O’Connell’s very own Division I volleyball commit, Macie Murray (Class of 2027). For Murray, it’s what the game has always been rooted in. While most kids her age were learning their ABCs, she was in the backyard peppering volleyballs with her sister.

“Macie is like my older sister,” said Cayla Sawyers, a sophomore on varsity. “She gives me advice on and off the court, and she helps me to become a better player.”

This year was one of milestones for the outside hitter, as she made First Team All-Met, and finished a second great season here at Bishop O’Connell. After an outstanding freshman season at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas, where she achieved an Honorable Mention, Murray was recruited by Coach Mehdi to play for the Knights as a rising sophomore. Last year, her first at DJO, she played a big role in helping the team take home the State Championship, earning First Team All-District honors.

“What made me come to O’Connell was probably the culture here. Everybody is positive. That’s the biggest difference between here and my old school. Everyone belongs,” Murray said. “During the beginning [of sophomore year], we first met each other, so we were getting comfortable, but we were very easily just able to connect.”

Winning the State Championship last year has been Murray’s favorite moment of her O’Connell volleyball journey so far. As she looks ahead to her senior season, she has big goals, including winning States again and aiming for Gatorade Player of the Year.

Aside from her high school career, Murray has also found a sisterhood in her club team, Metro. She has been playing with them since U13, and now, as a junior, she refers to her club teammates as “genuinely sisters.”

“When I go to college, we're still going to be calling, we're still going to be texting, including my coaches, because Metro feels like a big family,” she said. “I love how aggressive and gritty my club team is… I have a lot of fun while playing with them.”

Speaking of college, Macie signed with James Madison University last July, committing to the Division I school as a rising junior. When asked what made her pick JMU specifically, she once again mentioned her value of the family aspect in the program. She shared that after only a few days of calling and texting with JMU, she could already tell the people in the program were genuine.

“The coaches seem competitive but the girls seem very competitive and [so does] the bracket… and I’m a pretty competitive person,” said Murray, regarding the Dukes.

Her sister Mickhaila(a Flint Hill graduate) also plays Division I volleyball, at Temple University. Mickhaila has been Macie’s biggest inspiration in the sport, as well as her earliest coach, from those early backyard pepper sessions to now. It was because of her sister that Murray began playing at such a young age, noting that she’s really been in volleyball since she was a baby, although she joined her first club team as a six year-old. Mickhaila was also First Team All-State as a freshman, sophomore, and junior in high school, an honor Macie has earned this year and last.

“I definitely look up to her because honestly without my sister, I wouldn’t be getting all these awards, or have the form and technique I do now. I think if it weren’t for her I wouldn’t be playing in college,” Murray admitted. “But I’ve had a lot of support from my parents too, they travel day and night to get me places and have given me a lot of opportunities. My grandparents too, they went to every game even when I was little.”

With a place at a Division I college secured, her final season at O’Connell approaching, and dreams of playing professionally, Murray’s volleyball journey continues to grow. She’s already come a long way, from peppering with her sister to becoming All-Met. But through every award, championship, and milestone, one thing has stayed constant: family.