Merk, Ryan Penn State

Ryan Merk

  • Award
    Defensive Player of the Week
  • Week Of
    3/17/2025
  • Sport
    Men's Volleyball
  • School
    Penn State University
  • Year
    Junior
  • Position
    Libero
  • Hometown
    Chicago, Ill.
  • High School
    Loyola Academy
Penn State's Ryan Merk has been named the EIVA Defensive Player of the Week for March 17, 2025. Ryan anchored the back row for the Nittany Lions in three losses at the Outrigger Invitational in Hawaii. The redshirt-junior libero totaled 26 digs in the three matches, 3-0 losses to No. 5 Southern California and No. 3 Hawaii, and a 3-2 loss to No. 12 Ball State. He also made only two errors in 60 chances in service receptions – a .967 success rate. His total included 10 digs and 18 for 18 on serve-receive against the host Rainbow Warriors and 11 digs with 28 for 28 in receptions against the Cardinals. His efforts earned him a spot as the only Nittany Lion on the All-Tournament Team. He ranks second in the EIVA averaging 1.85 digs per set. This is the second EIVA weekly honor of the season Merk and third of his career.