Player of the Week: UMS-Wright's Carol Murray

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Rich’s Car Wash Player of the Week is Carol Murray, a senior tennis player out of UMS-Wright.

She’s getting ready to hang up her racket after graduation but before she walks across that stage, she wanted to go out on top. At the state tournament, that’s exactly what she did. She won the 5A state title in both singles and doubles this past week.

“I’m really honored to have this award” said Murray, “because I haven’t had player of the week before, so it’s great to get senior year. It was a great season to end off my senior year and my career. We had a ton of wins throughout the season and we finished strong at state with a huge win.”

UMS-Wright girls head tennis coach Meridy Jones has coached Carol since the 7th grade and she says it’s going to be hard to see Murray go.

“We both got a little bit emotional as she walked off that court for the last time playing for us but she’s been a coach’s dream all these years. She’s such a good leader and she’s gonna be missed by all of us.”

Murray is quiet leader and leads by example according to Jones, on and off the court.

“She finishes her match and she’s immediately telling me the score and then going to support her teammates and watching their matches. I never have to ask her to do that. That’s how she lives her life. She’s always taken the high road and the younger players notice that and I think she’s set such a high bar for those who follow after her.”

Sarah Bumgardner with Rich’s Car Wash says it is so important to them as a family-owned company to be able to give back to the community that supports their business.

“Just hearing about Carol and her coach and how it’s more like a family and being together for so many years. We understand that being in the community for so many years. So we’re just glad that we get to be a little part of something great that’s happening in our community and celebrate our athletes.”

Congratulations to Carol and the Bulldogs on a great ending to a successful season. That is a wrap on our Spring series of Player of the Week. We will host our Player of the Week banquet at Moe’s BBQ downtown to honor all of our 2024 recipients on Monday at 6PM.

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