Penn State Men’s Volleyball’s Ryan Merk Wins EIVA Defensive Player Of The Week Honors
Penn State Men’s Volleyball’s libero Ryan Merk was named the EIVA Defensive Player of the Week, the association announced Monday. It’s the seventh time Merk has earned the award in his career, and the third time this season.
๐ณ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ผ ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐จ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฎ๐๐ง ๐ค๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
— Penn State Men's Volleyball (@PennStateMVBALL) March 16, 2026๐ฏ ๐ฉ๐๐๐จ ๐จ๐๐๐จ๐ค๐ฃ
2.57 digs/set, 39-40 serve receive
10 digs in three sets at No. 5 USC#WeAre pic.twitter.com/FwBJEXh7mY
The redshirt senior earned the award after two impressive performances against two top-10 opponents last week. In the Nittany Lions’ match against No. 6 Pepperdine, Merk recorded eight digs and allowed just one ace on 25 serve receptions.
Later in the week, Merk recorded 10 digs in just three sets against No. 5 USC. His 10 digs mark the sixth time this season that Merk has tallied 10 or more digs in a match.
Across the week, Merk averaged 2.57 digs per set and a 39-40 serve receive. Merk now leads the EIVA in digs per set with an average of 2.32 this season.
Your ad blocker is on.
Please choose an option below.
Purchase a Subscription!
About the Author
Brant Byers Returns Home With Competitive Edge For Penn State Hoops
After growing up watching Penn State guards Tony Carr and Andrew Funk, Byers now has the chance to make his own impact in Happy Valley.
’40 Pounds Bigger And Stronger’: Penn State Hoops’ Ivan Juriฤ Building Toward Sophomore Jump
Penn State’s sophomore center is setting himself up to take a big leap in year two.
Former Penn State Football Defensive Lineman Jordan Hill Named Director Of Penn State Football Letterman’s Club
Hill will take over for Wally Richardson, who held the title for 13 years.
Penn State Baseball’s Michael Anderson Named To NCBWA All-America Second Team
It’s Penn State’s first All-American in 16 years.