Glendive senior Karsen Murphy is among the finest three-sport athletes in the state. Murphy led the Red Devils to three consecutive State A volleyball tournament appearances, is an all-state basketball player and is the State A record holder in the triple jump.
But when it came to picking a sport in college, the choice wasn't as difficult as it might seem.
"I went back and forth with the decision, but ever since high school basketball season started for me, I just knew basketball is what I wanted to do and what I wanted to work at," Murphy said.
During the summer, Murphy announced her intentions to play basketball with the Montana Lady Griz. It's a move that will send Murphy across the state and also task her with converting a family of Montana State fans.
"My whole family are big Cat fans, so I never really pictured myself going to the Griz, but I'm really glad that I got the opportunity," said Murphy.
What's the draw to Missoula at this time, though? The Lady Griz have been below .500 each of the past three seasons, but Murphy believes third-year coach Shannon Schweyen is building something special.
"A lot of girls that are starting to commit I know and I've played against. I already have the connections with that and I'm excited to get to play with them," Murphy said. "I just know that I want to go up there and I want to help the team out and I want to be an asset. The girls are actually really good this year and I'm really excited to see their improvement. I'm really excited to just go up, be in a bigger city and just experience it all."
Some of the Montana girls Schweyen has recruited include Malta's Sophia Stiles, Havre's Kyndall Keller, Billings Central's Mya Hansen, Helena High's Jamie Pickens, Billings West's Willa Albrecht, Missoula Sentinel's Jordan Schweyen and Kylie Frolich and former Box Elder standout Joelnell Momberg.
Eastern Montana has a storied connection with Missoula with the Selvig and Sullivan families. Murphy is looking to be the next Eastern Montana product to shine with the Griz.
