ROSEMONT, Ill.- Penn State women’s basketball’s Gracie Merkle and Alli Campbell secure Big Ten postseason awards as announced by the conference on Monday afternoon. Redshirt-sophomore Merkle garnered All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors as voted by the media and graduate Campbell was named Penn State’s Sportsmanship Award honoree.
Merkle was a consistent powerhouse for the Lady Lions all season, leading the team in scoring, averaging 15.5 points per game and in rebounding, averaging 8.6 boards per contest. She finished the season with a total of 13 double-doubles, which currently sits at fifth in the Big Ten and 26th in the country. She posted double figure scoring in 23 out of 29 games, including two 28-point outings against Marshall and Wisconsin. Merkle was tabbed to the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll in three consecutive weeks on Nov. 18, Nov. 25 and Dec. 2. The Mount Washington, Ky. native also consistently ranked in the top 5 in the country in field goal percentage throughout the entire 2024-25 season.
Campbell has shown great strength and resilience throughout her four years in Happy Valley, battling injury all four years. She finished the season averaging 8.1 points, the best season average of her career. The Altoona, Pa. native also led the Lady Lions in assists, averaging 4.4 a game to total 114 on the season. She sits fifth and 10th in the conference in those respective categories.