UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State libero Ryan Merk was named the EIVA Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, earning the award for the third time this season and the seventh time of his career.
Merk averaged 2.57 digs/set and was 39-40 (.975) on serve receive over two matches against top-10 opponents. The redshirt senior tallied eight digs and allowed one ace on his 25 serve receptions in a four-set match at No. 6 Pepperdine. He then racked up 10 digs and was a perfect 15-15 on serve receive in a three-set match at No. 5 USC.
His 10 digs against the Trojans marked the sixth time this season Merk reached double-digits. He currently leads the EIVA with 2.32 digs/set.
No. 16 Penn State wraps up the non-conference portion of its schedule with a match against No. 18 Ohio State at Pittsburgh’s Fitzgerald Field House on Wednesday, March 25.