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Denise Murphy-Stadelmaier was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection in volleyball and two-time Academic All-American at Clemson in the mid-80s. She is the only female athlete at Clemson to be a two-time Academic All-American. Murphy also won the Marie James Postgraduate scholarship, which went to the ACC's top female student-athlete. The three-time captain set the Clemson record for kills and digs during her four-year career in Tigertown.
After an all-star prep career at Yorktown Heights High School in New York, she came to Clemson as one of the most highly recruited athletes in New York. As a freshman, she played in 35 matches, registering 170 kills.
As a sophomore, Murphy finished second on the team with 202 kills and also had 23 service aces along with 206 digs. Murphy then led the team in kills (414), total attempts (1,192), and digs (434) as a junior. She was also the team's MVP and a first-team All-ACC selection. By the end of the '85 season, she already set the Clemson career records for attempts, kills, and digs.
As a senior, Murphy led the Tigers to a 21-13 record, it's best record in five seasons. She led the team in kills (418), total attempts (1,269), and digs (583). The 583 digs is still 100 more than any other Tiger has had in a single season. She received team MVP and first-team All-ACC honors for the second consecutive season in '86.
Murphy is the only Tiger to have more than 1,200 kills, 150 service aces, and 1,200 digs in a career. Her 36 digs at North Carolina-Charlotte in 1986 is still the most in a single match in Clemson history as well.
The 5'-8" outside hitter was not the most physically imposing player, but she did what was necessary to succeed. "Denise wasn't very tall for that position, but she was extremely mature," states Linda White, former Tiger Volleyball Coach. "It was like having an assistant coach on the floor. Denise always had the team's best interest in her heart. Denise was a winner!"
Murphy graduated from Clemson with a 3.9 GPA in zoology. She was a member of four academic honorary societies and made the ACC Academic Honor Roll in all four seasons. Murphy went on to earn a postgraduate degree from the University of Michigan.
"Everything Denise did was with class," states White. "She was diligent and goal-oriented with her studies. She always made me proud."
Murphy, 34, and her husband, also her biggest fan, Joe, have three girls, Rachael, Therese, and Murphy. The family lives in Zionsville, Indiana, as Murphy is an orthopedic surgeon.
• 1985 Academic All-American (Second Team)
• 1986 Academic All-American (Second Team)
• 1985 All-ACC (First Team)
• 1986 All-ACC (Second Team)
• 1986 Atlantic Coast Conference Scholastic Award
• 1986 Winner of the Marie B. James Post-Graduate Scholarship.
• 1985 & 1986-- Central Florida All-Tournament Team
• 1985 and 1986--Team MVP and Team Captain
• Finished her career with 1,204 kills, sixth on the Clemson career list. The only player in Clemson history to have more than 1,200 kills, 150 service aces and 1,200 defensive saves in a career. She finished with 1,204 kills, 165 service aces and 1,299 defensive saves.
• Inducted into Clemson Hall of Fame, September 1999
