Tennis team rejuvenated by captain Murphy

Photo+by+Dan+Justesen

Photo by Dan Justesen

Sydney Kuball

Senior, Ryan Murphy, or as most know him “Murph,” has been on the tennis team since the seventh grade and he absolutely loves it. He is a guy with talent and a good sense of humor that everybody loves. Murphy brings his team to a whole new level of skill and fun.

Murph, the same nickname his dad grew up with, is known for his ability to make someone smile and more often than not, crack up with laughter. This year he was out on the varsity team, having been on the C-team, or the third best team, just last year. With this major improvement he has shown a lot of growth for himself and within his team.

Walk up to Murphy and the first thing to come out of his mouth will likely be some smirk remark, whether you know him or not. His purpose and goal of each day is to be the funniest he can be and to make sure somebody gets to enjoy it.

“I love making people laugh, it makes me really happy! I like to think that I’m making someone’s day a little better,” said Murphy.
Tennis is a way for Murphy to be involved, and to be active, but most importantly, it is a way to be part of a team. Which is exactly how his teammates see it as well and Murphy acts as glue for them.

“He is definitely an integral part of the teams’ moral; he’s always cracking jokes and keeping the team amped with his positive attitude. We all appreciate his ability to keep things light, while playing with intensity,” said junior Matt Treacy.

Team has a much deeper meaning than simply playing a sport to Murphy, team is a word that makes his face light up, because he begins to think of the small family he makes.

“My teammates and I are like brothers in a way, we get a long really well and we have a lot of fun together. Without each other’s support throughout our tournaments and practices, I don’t know where we would be,” said Murphy.

When Murphy enters the court, the entire team gets excited, they are ready to hear his jokes, ready to laugh and ready to have fun. No matter what state the team is in, Murphy seems to have the ability to fix it.

“I don’t really consider myself a leader, or as someone that people look to, I just go about my day like anyone else. I do love to make people laugh though, so if that makes their day brighter, than that makes me really happy,” commented Murphy.

Ryan Murphy is more than just a part of the tennis team, he is a kid who knows how to turn a frown upside down, whether he knows it or not. He has helped create a team of boys who are able to consider each other a family and can laugh together at every one of Murphs’ goofy jokes.