Mia McMurry commits to Avenging Angels

Owen senior soccer player signs with Meredith College

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
February 3, 2023

Mia McMurry is joined by her parents, Meg Turner and Buffalo McMurry, as the Owen senior commits to play soccer for the Avenging Angels of Meredith College. Photo by Fred McCormick

When Mia McMurry stepped into the Owen media center, Jan. 30, her final high school soccer season was still more than a month away, but by the time she left, teammates, coaches, family and friends were cheering as the senior multi-sport athlete scored a significant personal goal, finalizing her commitment to Meredith College.

The senior will enter her last campaign in a familiar Warlassies soccer jersey in March, while the next chapter in her soccer career will also be written in maroon, as an Avenging Angel.

McMurry, who will play in her final regular season basketball game, Friday, Feb. 3, enters her fourth season on the roster of the Owen varsity soccer team in March. Her Warlassies athletic career included seasons on the tennis and cross country teams, as well. 

“I’ve been playing soccer since I was 5 years old,” she said, following a signing ceremony in front of dozens of supporters. Her goal of playing the sport she loved after high school came into focus in recent years, McMurry continued. 

“I play club soccer for Highland Football Club and that experience helped me develop and keep getting better,” she said. “That really helped my confidence, which made me realize I could play in college.”

She found a “great fit” on the campus of Meredith College. 

“The players were really nice and welcoming when I visited, and I felt very comfortable there,” McMurry said. “The college itself is near (Raleigh), but it’s still kind of its own little community with an outdoorsy atmosphere.”

The Avenging Angels were impressed by McMurry’s work ethic, according to head coach Kirstie King, who attended the signing ceremony. 

“Mia is an unbelievably hard worker and that stood out not only to me, but our players also noticed,” she said. “She came to our ID camp, and players were telling me they really liked her. She was great to talk to, very polite and a great human being, which are all qualities we look for when we’re recruiting.”

Seated to the right of McMurry as she finalized her commitment to Meredith College, was former Owen principal Meg Turner, who reveled in the opportunity to come back to campus in a decidedly different role.

Coaches, teammates, family and friends surround Mia McMurry, Jan. 30, as the Owen senior signed a commitment letter with the Meredith College Avenging Angels. Photo by Fred McCormick

“It’s so great to be here as a parent,” Turner said. “Everyone here did the work to get ready for today, and I was able to enjoy seeing Mia fulfill one of her life’s dreams. As a mom, that’s pretty special.”

Turner, whose accomplishments on the basketball court led her to be inducted into the Virginia High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016, was already looking forward to seeing her daughter in an Avenging Angels uniforms.

“I love Owen, and my high school colors were maroon,” she said. “Mia has worn it here, I wore it in high school and now she’s going to wear maroon in college. I’m so excited for her, and very proud.”

While McMurry is focusing on her final year of high school, and her upcoming soccer season, she’s eager to pursue an education and career in psychology after graduation. Her ambitions on the field at Meredith College, however, are simple.

“Hopefully, we’ll beat a lot of teams,” she said.