Nebraska Volleyball’s Harper Murray Subtly at Kansas Coach’s ‘Soft Big Ten’ Claim With Strong Response

Nebraska Volleyball's Harper Murray silences Kansas coach Matt Ulmer's 'soft' Big Ten claim amid NCAA contention.

Nebraska Volleyball’s Harper Murray responded to the Kansas head coach’s remarks about the Big Ten not being competitive enough for the Huskers this year. The Huskers recorded a straight-set win over Indiana to claim the Big Ten title this year for the third consecutive year.

Nebraska improved to 33-0 after its NCAA Regional Semifinal win against Kansas, thus qualifying for the Regional Finals against Texas A&M on Dec. 14, 2025.

Nebraska Volleyball’s Harper Murray Hushes Kansas Head Coach’s Big Ten Claim

Nebraska Volleyball was undefeated in the Big Ten Conference, having recorded an invincible 20-0 win streak. The team officially clinched the Big Ten outright title with a straight-set victory over Indiana, cementing its status as the top-ranked in NCAA Division I.

Ahead of the Regional Semifinals on December 12, Kansas head coach Matt Ulmer claimed that the Big Ten title race may have been ‘soft’ this year, suggesting it did not pose enough competition for the Huskers. The remark appeared to be a strategic jab aimed at getting into their heads ahead of the match.

Junior outside hitter and one of the frontliners of the squad, Murray, was quick to respond with a strong statement, saying that the team had worked hard and pushed their limits in practice, despite the Big Ten not being the same this year. She said:

“I think we had a lot of success in the Big Ten the past few years, and I know it’s looked a lot different this year, but I don’t think that’s any discredit to how much we’ve worked and how hard we’ve worked. I think I’ve seen, like, we’ve seen a lot of things about people, like, saying we weren’t pushed enough, but I think we push ourselves in practice, and we’re ready for that if that were to come in.”

READ MORE: Dani Busboom Kelly Fires Back With Strong Message After Kansas Coach Labels Big Ten Conference “Soft”

At the Regional Semifinals, Nebraska Volleyball was in its usual form, with Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick leading the pack with nine kills each and no errors. Murray posted seven kills and led with 10 digs, proving her prowess both offensively and defensively.

Nebraska Volleyball’s Murray Gets Real About Huskers’ Approach After Undefeated Record

Murray, Nebraska Volleyball’s top offensive performer, took pride in the Huskers’ undefeated record but clarified that the team does not want to be defined by it. She also acknowledged that the team’s success this season has been a reflection of its hard work.

Murray crossed 1000 career kills in the 2025 season and won Big Ten Player of the Week honors, among other achievements. She also became the ambassador of the giant brand, Adidas, endorsing it on her social media handles and even surprising her teammates and coach with Adidas gifts on special occasions.

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