To say that Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball star Harper Murray had a rough go of things since her team ended its season in a straight set loss to Texas for the National Title would be an understatement. When ESPN’s newest E60 documentary, No Place Like Nebraska released on Sunday evening, the Huskers’ massive fan base saw just how rough a go it was.
While the 60-minute film was not entirely about Murray, it did focus a good portion of its time on the death threats and (for lack of a better more powerful word) cyberbullying she endured on social media after the loss. Specifically fans came after her saying that she believed Nebraska would win several national championships in her time here.
The horror of a Nebraska Cornhuskers star athlete having that kind of confidence eh? In the wake of those (again for lack of a better word) insults and attacks on social media, Murray said she spiraled into some very poor mental health. That spiral eventually led to her legal problems this spring.
"The greater the rewards, the greater the expectations."
— E60 (@E60) August 25, 2024
'No Place Like Nebraska' premieres tonight at 5 PM ET on @ESPN. Extended version streaming on @ESPNPlus immediately after. pic.twitter.com/qJbB7V1NEc
Nebraska Cornhuskers nation rallies around Harper Murray
While there were plenty of people who were groused about Murray not seeing a more severe punishment for a DUI, MIP and a shoplifting incident (including yours truly) seeing what was behind that behavior and pairing it with the understanding that she was a 19-year-old athlete shoved into the spotlight in a way she couldn’t have expected, fans were quick to rush to her defense and voice support for Harper Murray on Sunday night.
If you missed @EspnE60’s "No Place like Nebraska" doc & you’re @HuskerVB fan, be sure to catch a repeat. And to the mouth-breathers that would attack an 18 yr-old young woman online, you’re the problem. I’m sorry someone failed you. #GBR 🌽🏐💪🏻| ESPN https://t.co/3ggXoekTOw
— Brett Baker (@BrettSBaker) August 25, 2024
One of the people behind the documentary made it clear she couldn't cover everything
A reminder to fans who watched E60’s No Place Like Nebraska — 48 minutes of television goes by very, very fast. As every Director/Producer will tell you, we wish we had more time.
— Jen Karson-Strauss (@JenStrauss27) August 25, 2024
Fans got emotional watching the depiction of the 2023 season and its aftermath.
Anyone else have a case of cutting onions while watching the “No Place Like Nebraska” Volleyball documentary?
— Brooke Janae Bly (@rivulet2414) August 26, 2024
Nebraska needs to wrap its arms around Harper.
Watching No Place Like Nebraska on ESPN+, and my heart truly breaks for @harpermurray4 and her family. I'm sure there's no excuse for her actions, but this state needs to continue to wrap our arms around her and pray for her recovery and comeback. #GBR
— Brandon Odom 🦬 (@BrandonCOdom) August 26, 2024
Fans reach out after seeing what happened.
@harpermurray4 watching There's no place like Nebraska on ESPN. I know this is way after the fact, but please know true fans love you and the team. Your efforts to get as far as you have can not be overlooked. Ignore the criticism from anyone but your own team and coaches. We…
— Douglas Decker (@Douglasddecker) August 25, 2024
Even other fans took a lesson away from the Nebraska documentary.
Watched the No Place Like Nebraska E60.
— James Santelli (@JamesSantelli) August 25, 2024
My biggest takeaway for @Pitt_VB fans: always be kind and supportive. We may never have the numbers that the state schools have, but we can still be the best fans possible.
It wasn't long ago that Harper and her team made it clear that not everything is left in the past even now. Head coach John Cook made it very clear at his last press conference that Murray is still working through everything.
Knowing all that, as the new Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball season is right around the corner, here's hoping fans of all stripe keep in mind that what they say and what they do isn't in a vaccuum and the players see it.