Valparaiso University

2024: Saw 82 sets of action over 23 matches as a freshman ... totaled 126 kills (1.54/set) on .271 hitting and 75 blocks (0.91/set) ... 75 blocks are seventh-most by a Valpo freshman under head coach Carin Avery ... led team in blocks six times and in service aces six times ... posted double-digit kill totals five times ... debuted in Aug. 30 win over SIUE with 11 kills and five blocks ... opened career with five or more blocks in four of her first five matches, including six at St. Thomas Sept. 6 ... tallied three aces Aug. 31 against Eastern Michigan ... racked up six service aces in Sept. 5 win over Northern Illinois - most by a Valpo player in a five-set match in the rally scoring era (25 & 30 points) ... matched season-opening performance with 11 kills on .360 hitting Sept. 21 at Wofford ... recorded season-best seven blocks Oct. 4 against UNI ... hit .364 with 10 kills the next night against Drake ... hit .391 with 10 kills in Oct. 12 win over Missouri State ... needed just 18 swings to put down eight kills, hitting .444 in regular season finale versus UIC Nov. 19 ... posted six blocks in win over Murray State in opening round of MVC Tournament Nov. 23 ... had best offensive match of the season in tournament quarterfinal the next day against UIC, hitting .600 with a season-high 12 kills on just 20 swings.

Prep: Named an AVCA Third Team All-American as a senior ... an AVCA All-Region choice as well ... earned a spot on the Indiana Senior All-Star team as a senior, following up on her Indiana Junior All-Star team selection the previous year ... owner of over 1,000 career kills for the Braves ... earned First Team All-Conference honors in each of her final three seasons ... helped her team claim three conference titles ... playing her club volleyball for Circle City, Merk was part of a team which finished 2023 ranked fifth nationally ... also a track and field standout, advanced to state finals as a senior in the high jump.

Personal: Daughter of Jimmie and Kristy Merk ... major is chemistry, with minors in human biology and business.