After an offseason full of turnover in Penn State women’s basketball’s roster, the season-opening win against Bucknell was the first chance to see eight new Lady Lions in action. The most notable of all was Gracie Merkle, a transfer center from Bellarmine University.

Merkle played two seasons at Bellarmine, earning the Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year award in the 2022-23 season. Her other honors in her tenure with the Knights spanned from a unanimous selection to the all-freshman team to being the conference leader in rebounding and double-doubles.

Merkle also led the entire nation in field goal percentage in her freshman season. She utilized her medical redshirt for her sophomore season before she signed with the Lady Lions in April of this year.

Merkle opened her Lady Lions account with 21 points and 13 rebounds, living up to her reputation as a double-double machine. After struggling to knock down casual shots early in the game, Merkle settled in as the game progressed. She looked extremely comfortable in the paint and drew a plethora of fouls, increasing and-one opportunities for the Lady Lions. Her impact on the floor was seen in her +32 plus/minus, the best on the court.

At 6’6″, Merkle towered over the opposing Bison, bullying her way through them to grab the 13 boards on the night.

.@GracieMerkle BATTLED IT OUT

9:43 Q3 | 54-35 Penn State#LionMentality pic.twitter.com/g52zLyFI43

— Penn State Women's Basketball (@PennStateWBB) November 4, 2024

In just her first game for Penn State, it seemed Merkle found a home in the paint of the Bryce Jordan Center court. Merkle consistently overpowered everyone at the post and was a great option for slowing the game down and retaining possession. She also denied the Bison four times, leading the team in blocks for the night.

“Oh, it was great. I missed playing basketball,” Merkle said postgame. “I know last year, I was out with an injury, but this team just made it feel like I didn’t even miss last year. It was like they’re family, they all look for me.”

Merkle continued to emphasize how her performance was due to her teammates continuously believing in her and finding her under the rim even after a rough start to the game.

“I definitely did miss a couple of those easy bunnies,” Merckle said. “But my team has the confidence to keep throwing me the ball, and me having the confidence to keep going up.”

Merkle and the Lady Lions next take the floor against Canisius at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, at the Bryce Jordan Center.