ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Laughlin Murray recently joined the Navy volleyball program as the team's new assistant coach.

"We are thrilled to add Laughlin (pronounced LOCK - lynn) to the Navy volleyball family," said head coach Paco Labrador.  "She is a smart, hard working, relationship builder.  She has competed at a high level and clearly has a deep passion for giving back to the sport as a coach.  Welcome Laughlin!"

"I am so excited and honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this program and the US Naval Academy," said Murray.  "Paco and (associate head coach) Hallie Cruzen have so much knowledge of the game and I can't wait to work with and learn from them.  They have been building a special program here and I look forward to helping add more to its history.  And not only do I get to coach this awesome group of women with them, but I get the unique opportunity to watch them grow into our nation's leaders.  From the tradition and the mission of the US Naval Academy to helping build this program, I am all in. And last but not least...Beat Army!"

Murray spent the 2024 season as an assistant coach and director of operations for the volleyball team at the College of Charleston.  The Cougars posted a 25-9 record, shared the regular season title in the Coastal Athletic Association with a mark of 15-3, won the CAA Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven seasons.

The Charleston native became the Ashley Hall High School starting setter as a sophomore.  She set the team to the state (S.C.) tournament championship match that season.  Murray totaled over 2,100 assists in her three seasons as the setter, earned a trio of all-region honors and garnered all-state accolades in 2019.  

Murray attended Mississippi State as a freshman, then spent the next two years at Georgia State.  She led the Panthers in assist average as a junior in what was her final season.  Murray graduated Magna Cum Laude -- in just three overall years of college -- from Georgia State in 2024 with a degree in psychology.

In addition to her time on the staff at the College of Charleston, she also served as the co-head coach for the U18 Elite team as part of the SC Elite Volleyball Club.