Marian University

Awards:
CSC Academic All-District (Dec. 12, 2023)
All-NACC Honorable Mention (Nov. 8, 2023)
All-NACC Honorable Mention (Nov. 3, 2022)

2023: Became the first Sabre to earn multiple all-conference awards since Jessica Roberts in 2014 and 2015 earning honorable mention honors.  Merrill was once again a useful weapon offensively for the Sabres ranking second on the squad with her 224 kills, 2.46 kills per set, and 260.5 total points.  She also finished third on the team with 29 blocks, fourth for digs at 123, and fifth on the squad with 20 service aces.  Merrill had 12 matches with double-digit kills posting a season-high 13 against Coe and at Dominican.  She was able to finish her Marian career on a high note recording nine kills, nine digs, and two assisted blocks in the NACC Tournament Quarterfinals against St. Norbert.

2022: Earned her first All-NACC selection earning a spot on the honorable mention team.  She averaged 2.95 kills per set with 327 total kills and had 373.0 total points over 111 sets.  From the service line, Merrill ranked second on the team with 30 service aces.  Merrill had 15 matches where she recorded double-digit kills with a career-best 26 kills coming against Governors State.  She also had four double-doubles with one of them coming against Governors State.  Her season-best for digs came twice this season with 15.  At the net, Merrill finished the season with 27 total blocks with five of her blocks being of the solo variety.

2021: Had a breakout season playing in 25 matches with 89 total sets played.  Recorded 322 kills putting her third in the NACC with a 3.62 kills per set average, all while hitting .210.  Also had 29 total blocks, four of which were solo, and had 21 service aces to go with 104 digs.  Earned a NACC Player of the Week selection after recording 3.92 kills per set over three matches at the UW-Stevens Point Invitational.  She also hit .342 during the tournament and recorded at least 14 kills in each match.  On the season, had double-digit kills in 18 matches with a season-best 20 coming in a five-set victory at home against Concordia Chicago.  She also had the first double-double of her career in the win against the Cougars adding 12 digs.  Averaged 4.0 points per set after finishing the season with 359.5 points.

2020-21: Played in all 38 matches recording 64 kills, 1.68 kills per set, to go with 24 total blocks, four solo.  From the service line she was also able to record eight aces with three of her aces coming in the second match against MSOE (Mar. 28).  Posted at least five kills in all but two matches with a 10-kill performance coming in the first match at Lakeland (Mar. 21).  In the home match against Ripon (Apr. 15) she was able to block eight attacks with three being of the solo variety.

High School: Was a standout volleyball player at Franklin High School where she served as a captain.  Earned several awards during her career including first team all-conference, most valuable player for the team, most improved, and KLAA scholar-athlete.

Personal

Parents: Ron and Rene Merrill

Siblings: One brother (Harrison)

Major: Exercise and Sport Science

Minor: Athletic Coaching and Mathematics