NRCA volleyball coach Chris Murray claims Female Coach of the Year Award

North Raleigh Christian Academy volleyball head coach Chris Murray has been named female coach of the year at HighSchoolOT Honors.

In the fall of 2018, Murray helped lead the Knights to their fourth consecutive state championship.

Without a single senior on the roster, the Knights put up a 26-6 record playing a loaded schedule that featured stiff out-of-state competition and the best in-state competition there is.

NRCA defeated Charlotte Country Day on October 27 for the state championship.

Murray has simultaneously led her program to great success while also making an impact on her players.

"It's incredible playing for coach Murray," Skylar Buckley said. "I've been playing volleyball for a long time, but it's very different coming here and playing for a coach that not only supports you on and off the court, but also she's working on building a family aspect."

"It's an honor," Murray said. "I am not getting this opportunity because of something that I just did. We have an amazing staff... they're just all completely supportive. We kind of have a family dynamic."

Those involved with the program credit the establishment of that family atmosphere with the success that the program has had in recent years.

The volleyball program has been front and center as North Raleigh Christian has seen growth in terms of athletic success.

"Her labor has been shown here," athletic director Steve Lykins said. "For us it's really brought the enthusiasm that we were looking for in some of our girls programs."

The other nominees for this award included April Rose of Pamlico County basketball, Deb Clarke of Fuquay-Varina softball, Jenny Marks of Cardinal Gibbons cheer and Joan Mabe of Chapel Hill track and field.

Coach Murray and the Knights return their entire roster next season as they will look to win a fifth consecutive state championship.