PELLA—Nicole Murphy, a highly successful high school coach in Nevada and a former Division III player at Bethel University (Minn.), is joining the Central College volleyball coaching staff for the 2025 season.
Murphy comes to Pella after spending the last four years at Durango High School in Las Vegas where she was the head coach for the girls and boys program. The Durango girls program won back-to-back Class 4A state tiles in 2023 and 2024.
During her playing career at Bethel from 2010 to 2013, Murphy played middle blocker, opposite hitter and outside hitter for Central volleyball alumni Gretchen Hunt. She was a team captain in 2013 and received the Leadership Award in the same year. She played in the 2011 NCAA Division III tournament with the Royals.
"Nicole's character values and personality are a perfect for our team," coach
Jeanne Czipri said. "She brings a wide range of experiences which have prepared her to be successful at this level. "
Nicole Murphy was a two-time Nevada state champion with Durango High School's girls program
After graduating from Bethel, she spent six seasons as an assistant coach from 2014 to 2019. The Royals advanced to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals in 2015
Murphy also served as Durango's athletic director since January of 2023.
"Her experience as an athletic director provides a broad perspective and approach to the bigger picture and to our team culture," Czipri said. "She cares about the human and development piece of college athletics while also bringing a fierce and fun competitive spirit that will help our program continue to rise."
Murphy will start on the job at Central on July 1.
