Ken Murphy Named 2018 #BigSkyVB Coach of the Year
OGDEN, Utah (November 21, 2018) – After guiding Northern Arizona to a share of the Big Sky regular season title and a No. 1 championship seed, sixth-year head coach Ken Murphy has been tabbed the 2018 Big Sky Conference Volleyball Coach of the Year for the first time in his tenure as voted on by the league’s 11 head coaches.
Murphy leads the Lumberjacks to a sixth Big Sky Championship appearance while at the helm of the program in addition to their fourth 20-win season in the last six years.
Northern Arizona posted a league-best 23 wins in 2018 with a 23-8 overall record while compiling a 15-3 Big Sky mark to share the regular season title with Idaho. Murphy coached four All-Big Sky selections this season including Big Sky Co-MVP Kaylie Jorgenson. Northern Arizona was one of three Big Sky schools to place three players on the first team with Jorgenson, Abby Akin and Heaven Harris earning top honors. Big Sky Outstanding Freshman Ryann Davis was a second team pick.
Murphy’s Lumberjacks shocked the NCAA volleyball world on Sept. 7 when they defeated No. 8 Florida 3-2 for their first win over a nationally-ranked opponent since 1989. The nationally-ranked win was also the first for the Big Sky Conference since 2007.
Carrying a 10-match winning streak into this week’s championship, Murphy looks to lead the squad to its first conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth since 2015. Northern Arizona also appeared in the championship match in 2016.
Murphy has totaled a 128-55 record in six seasons with the Lumberjacks for a .699 winning percentage to lead the Big Sky’s active head coaches. Northern Arizona has also posted an impressive 75-23 league record (.765) in Murphy’s tenure.