Student Athlete of the Week – Jenna Murphy

Rancho Mirage senior slugger Jenna Murphy can hit the ball a mile. Batting.434 the ball continues to roar off the bat but what makes her truly special is her knowledge of knowing what the team needs.

“I look where the girls are, look if there are runners on the base. It is really what the team needs, if we need to score one then I need to hit it opposite way or wherever it is.” Student athlete of the week Jenna Murphy said.

“She can do a little bit of everything. Hit for power or contact,” Rattler Head Coach Jeremy Ogden said.

This year the Rattlers are right at the heels of De Anza League title but things have not always gone this smooth. There has been ups and there has been downs. A 4-year captain on a varsity program that began her freshman year so just as the team has grown so has their senior captain.

“She has a little bit of everything going for her. She’s well lettered, she’s decorated. A three time MVP,” Ogden added.

“I think it kind of built more character out of me and have the energy that girls may need or to help them become better. I think that makes me better as a player,” Murphy said.

Her goals were set early and she kept on swinging on. Now she is going to be swinging for La Sierra University next fall.

“I actually have wanted to play college softball since I started. That was my passion to play and I wanted to get somewhere with it,” Murphy said.

So while hitting balls out of the ball park here in the valley, she has also has been serving burgers to many of us at In and Out.

“I am learning with work that you can’t be late for anything. I am learning what I can do in a certain amount of time. Have to get the job done always. A business is actualy relying on you. Just like a team is relying on you too,” Murphy finished.

“I hear her walking around, yelling, getting everything ready. It is not a difference, she has always been a leader and seeing her at work like that is nothing new,” Senior teammate Jasmine Rendon said of Murphy.

Nominate a student-athlete of the week! REQUIREMENTS: 3.0+ GPA Strong contributor to his/her team Person of good character Email blake.arthur@kesq.com or cody.krupp@kesq.com to submit a request!