TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler volleyball standout Melanie Merrill has been named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Player of the Week, the organization announced Tuesday.
Merrill becomes the first recipient of the award this season and just the second Patriot in program history to earn the prestigious national honor.
The right side attacker helped lead UT Tyler to a perfect 4-0 opening weekend, including a 3-1 victory over No. 12 Central Oklahoma, while producing one of the most impressive offensive weekends of her career. Merrill played in all 14 sets and recorded 51 kills on 96 attacks, hitting an outstanding .458 for the weekend. She averaged 3.64 kills per set and 4.14 points per set while adding 11 total blocks.
Merrill was a consistent force throughout all four matches, hitting above .419 in every contest. She opened the weekend with 7 kills against Arkansas-Monticello before delivering a team-best 19 kills against No. 12 Central Oklahoma while hitting .432. Merrill added 9 kills against LeMoyne-Owen before closing the weekend with 16 kills in a 3-1 victory at tournament host Southern Arkansas.
Her 19-kill performance against Central Oklahoma helped the Patriots secure their first victory over a ranked opponent of the season, while her 16 kills against Southern Arkansas helped UT Tyler complete its first 4-0 start to a season since 2023.
Merrill finished the weekend with 58 total points, 11 blocks and just seven attack errors across her 96 attempts. Her 51 kills led the Patriots throughout the four-match weekend, while her .458 hitting percentage ranked among the team's top offensive performances. Following its 4-0 opening weekend and victory over No. 12 Central Oklahoma, UT Tyler also received votes in this week's national poll.
The national recognition comes as UT Tyler prepares to continue its undefeated start at the Reddie-Tiger Invitational in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The Patriots will face Ouachita Baptist, Union, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Mississippi Christian during the tournament.
