Former Seton Hill volleyball player Maggie Murray dies after boating accident

Seton Hill is mourning the death of former volleyball player Maggie Murray, a 2018 graduate who died after a boating accident near Sarasota, Fla., on Saturday, according to GoErie.com.

Murray was 22.

A native of Erie, Murray was attending dental school in Bradenton. She reportedly died Sunday at Sarasota Memorial Hospital as the result of injuries suffered in the accident.

The accident occurred off Lido Key Beach on the Gulf of Mexico, GoErie.com reported.

The Herald-Tribune reported the boat, a 27-foot pontoon, was operated by Dax Benfield, 26, of Bradenton. Murray was in the water when the boat started moving and she was struck by its propeller, a preliminary investigation showed.

A GoFundMe.com page was formed for Murray to raise funds for medical and funeral costs. The drive had surpassed $20,000 Monday evening.

Two vigils reportedly were held for Murray at Seton Hill.

A memorial mass will take place on campus at 4:15 p.m. Thursday at Saint Joseph Chapel.

The volleyball team hosts to Cal (Pa.) on Tuesday night, and Griffins assistant athletic director for athletic communications Jason Greene said there will be a moment of silence for the 6-foot middle hitter and former captain.

“It was a shock to all of us,” Greene said. “She was a really good kid who will be missed. It’s the one tough part of the job. You build relationships with these kids over their four years, and then things like that happen.”

Seton Hill volleyball coach Rick Hall said his former all-PSAC player always was smiling, and her smile was contagious.

“Maggie was a friend to everyone and loved by all,” Hall said. “Maggie was a leader on and off the court for our program, and she will be sorely missed by all of her teammates, the coaching staff and the Seton Hill community. I can’t get across how good of a kid she was. That’s all I care about.”

Murray, who played a number of positions, including setter, played in 130 matches at Seton Hill. She finished her career with 2,268 assists, 508 digs, 382 kills and 207 blocks.

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.