UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State’s Ryan Merk was named the Defensive Player of the Week by the EIVA on Monday. He earned the award for the second time this season and the sixth time of his career.
Merk averaged 2.71 digs/set over two matches at No. 15 McKendree last week, totaling seven in a three-set match on Friday before racking up 12 more in a four-set contest on Saturday. The redshirt senior libero was a perfect 39-39 on serve receptions and has been aced just once in his 114 attempts this season.
Merk helped kickstart the offensive effort with a 2.77 pass rating, giving him a 2.76 mark for the season.
Penn State has earned three weekly honors from the EIVA this season. In addition to the two won by Merk, Sean Harvey was the Offensive Player of the Week following the opening matches of the season.
No. 14 Penn State now turns its attention to a big home series against No. 3 Hawaii at Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions host the Rainbow Warriors for regular season matches for the first time in program history when the teams play Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m.