Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association

Penn State's Ryan Merk is the EIVA Defensive Player of the Week for March 16, 2026. Ryan continues his reliable backrow play for No. 15 Penn State this season. In two top-10 losses on the West Coast, the redshirt senior libero totaled 18 digs, one assist and one kill while making one error in 40 service receptions. On March 11 against No. 6 Pepperdine, which entered the weekend as the nation’s No. 3 team in aces per set, he had one reception error in 25 chances, adding eight digs, one assist and one kill – his first of the season and third of his career. He recorded 10 digs against No. 5 Southern California on March 14 while posting a perfect 15 for 15 in service receptions. His showing against the Trojans gave him his sixth match of the season with double figures in digs and 32 for his career. It was his 11th match of 2026 with no reception errors. In 18 contests, Merk has 11 errors in 310 chances (.965). He leads the EIVA averaging 2.32 digs per set and ranked 18th nationally entering the weekend. He also has 807 career digs, becoming the fifth Nittany Lion to reach the 800 milestone. He is nearing No. 4 on the Lions’ list – Ramon Hernandez (820 from 1991-94). This is the third EIVA weekly honor of the season for Merk and seventh of his career.