By Lenna Proctor | [email protected]

Murray’s volleyball team starts this season with new coach, Bryan Crawford, who is also the Spanish teacher at Murray High School. His coaching experience includes seven years as a collegiate head coach, two years collegiate assistant coach, seven years of club volleyball and six years of high school volleyball, as well as various awards and accolades. 

Crawford stepped away from coaching for a few years to spend more time with his family, but he is excited to coach at Murray. He said fans can anticipate changes this year with the Murray Volleyball program. 

“Murray will be going through some growth over the next couple of years as we look to rebuild the new program,” he said.

Some of these changes include the introduction of a new junior high program, something completely new to the Murray School District and Murray volleyball program. Crawford “hopes to get players involved at a younger level, building the program earlier.” 

This year he anticipates there will be three junior high-level teams, all coached by the Murray High School volleyball coaching staff. He anticipates playing other junior high teams around the valley. Tryouts for the junior high program took place on Monday, Aug. 23. Information on the team can be found on the Murray City Parks & Recreation Website.

Changes on the court. 

After offering a summer full of growth opportunities, including a week-long camp in June, and one-on-one coaching sessions with coaching staff from the University of Utah and Utah Valley University, the volleyball team is ready to attack the season. 

”You will definitely see a new program out on the floor. 2020-21 graduated ten seniors, so returning varsity experience looks slim. In addition to that, many players from last year decided not to continue with the program this year.” Crawford said. “Our focus this year will be to build the skills of our sophomore and junior classes.”  

Crawford is implementing an “open roster” “allowing the players to play at their actual level giving them an opportunity to develop and grow rather than playing players up or down levels.” The players are working hard and it has been a fun experience to see growth.

When asked about the changes to the 5A region 6 conference, Crawford feels the conference just got “much tougher. Adding Park City High School will add new higher level of competition and possibly a new number one in the region.”

Murray volleyball games are free, and fans can support the program by attending a match or by sponsoring one of the student athletes. Information on this can be obtained by contacting the main office at Murray High School.

Lady Spartan Volleyball Schedule

Orange and white teams play at 3:30 p.m. and the black teamat 4:45 p.m. All varsity games are played at 6 p.m. (Teams have been adjusted and renamed to accommodate players to compete at their respective talent levels.)

September 1 - Home game vs. Kearns 

September 9 - Home game vs. Park City* 

September 14 - Home game vs. Olympus* 

September 16 - Away game vs. Highland * 

September 21 - Home game vs. Brighton*  

September 23 - Away game vs. East*

September 28 - Away game vs. Skyline*

October 5 - Away game vs. Park City*

October 7 - Away game vs. Olympus*

October 12 - Home game vs. Highland*

October 19 - Home game vs. East*

October 21 - Home game vs. Skyline*

October 26 - Away game vs. Brighton*

November 2 - First round of the state tournament

*Region 6 game