By Todd Thorpe

Staff Writer

Kate McMurdo has tried a lot of sports.

Lacrosse, basketball, soccer, field hockey. Always athletic, she’d competed in and enjoyed playing on different teams and not focusing on just one.

As a freshman, McMurdo was talked into giving volleyball a try and now a senior at Central Bucks West, she’s glad she stuck with it as she hopes to help lead a talented Bucks squad to a successful season this fall.

"When I was a freshman, my friend Donna (Radice, also one of the seniors on this West team) got me to come to open gyms and convinced me to play," said McMurdo, a 5-foot-10 middle hitter. "(Former West girls coach Jeff Wismer) really made me fall in love with the game. He really got us into it.

"I probably would have played field hockey, but I saw it as something I wanted to do. People were like, ‘You should play field hockey,’ but there was something I really loved about volleyball."

After a very solid junior season, in which she started at middle hitter and was one of the top offensive threats on a senior-laden West team, she decided to make even more of a commitment to the sport. McMurdo decided not to go out for the basketball team and play for the Valley Forge Volleyball Club, an elite club team that practices twice a week and plays in tournaments against teams from across the country.

"It was hard because I had to give up basketball, but it was something I really wanted to do. Last season, I realized volleyball was something I really loved."

That passion comes out on the floor, and it’s something that second-year West coach Ben Martin sees almost every time McMurdo steps on the floor.

"She is as fiery and is as much a competitor that I’ve met," Martin said, "which makes it very exciting to have her on my team. She has a will to win like very few. She’s not afraid of anything or anyone."

That will to win also transcribed itself last spring for the one other sport that she decided to keep on playing, lacrosse, as starting on defense, she helped West go undefeated and win the Suburban One League Division A title.

That was an experience that McMurdo wouldn’t trade.

"That was probably the best experience I’ve ever had on any sports team," she said. "It was a really good feeling. It just shows you what can happen when you work hard and come together as a team."

As for this year’s volleyball team, she thinks that the mix of seniors and younger players could make this a pretty good year as well. Martin, for one, McMurdo will be a positive influence on some of the younger players.

"She’s a good athlete, she’s driven and she has intensity," Martin said. "Hopefully (watching McMurdo) will spur on some of the younger players to do that as well. Some of the girls, their nature is to be a little laid back. It would be nice if some of Kate rubbed off a little bit."

Although her focus is now on volleyball, McMurdo, who is undecided on whether she’ll play next year in college, said she’s glad she’s had the opportunity to play multiple sports.

"You always have coaches who try to convince you to stop playing other sports and just play one," she said. "But my parents always said to be well-rounded and do what you like. If that’s playing one sport, play one sport. If that’s playing three sports, play three sports."

Todd Thorpe can be contacted at tthorpe@phillyburbs.com.

Lansdale Catholic

Coach: Bernadette Vereb (first year)

Last year’s record: N/A

Starters lost: 3

Key returners: Sr. MH Molly Motley, Sr. OH Katie McCormick, Sr. D Allie Hitchens

Newcomers: Sr. OH Amy Organski, Jr. S Leah Budweg, Jr. OH Kate Beiter, Jr. MH Colleen McGarry, Jr. MH Val Volpe, Jr. OH Erin O’Kane

The coach’s view: "The chances are very good. They’re very well organized. We had a scrimmage (Friday) and we know what we have to work on. They’re coming together pretty well."

Pennridge

Coach: Margie Arm (fifth year)

Last year’s record: 14-4

Starters lost: 4

Key returners: Sr. OH Jenna Walck, Sr. MH Beth Emsley, Jr. MH Katie Velez, Jr. S Lillie Matyskiella, Jr. OH Emily Moyer, Jr. S/OH Cait Corrigan, Sr. D Jen Neidert, Sr, OH Krista Kirschner, Sr. D Emily Cuff

Newcomers: Jr. S Katy Kutzner, Jr. D Meghan Nines, Soph. MH/OH Crystal States

The coach’s view: "We have a lot of nice depth. A lot of other sophomores will get some time with me. I think we have a real nice group. Every year (key players graduate), and every year new people step up."