Friday Digs: Hailey Merkes
6/5/2020 9:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
In her 20+ years, Hailey Merkes has faced more adversity than most.
Every Friday from now until the beginning of the volleyball season will we spotlight a member of the Bobcat volleyball program. Now up: Hailey Merkes.
In her 20+ years, Hailey Merkes has faced more adversity than most. And, despite the challenges, her quiet resolve has its advantages when she is called off the bench to produce and provide a spark as part of the Bobcat rotation. Last season, she played in 16 matches and her doggedness was no more evident as she filled in for injured all-Big Sky performer Evi Wilson recording eight kills to help the Bobcats to a 3-2 win over Sacramento State in Shroyer Gym. Head coach Daniel Jones will count on her tenacity again this season as the Cats look to climb into the upper echelons of the Big Sky Conference.
CATCHING UP WITH HAILEY:
1). Can you give us an update on your current status?
I am currently in Bozeman but did go back to California for the majority of quarantine. Ever since I've been back, we've been playing lots of beach volleyball and yard games like corn hole at home. A few teammates and I have also participated in the Black Lives Matter protest and rally here in Bozeman.
2). How do you think the spring volleyball season was progressing before everything shut down?
I think the spring season was going great and everyone was progressing tons! Having so much time in the gym was definitely beneficial and everyone could feel the leaps forward we were taking as a team.
3). What are your goals heading into the fall and what are the expectations for the team?
I think most of our goals as a team remain the same, with winning a Big Sky Conference championship at the top of them. Personally, I believe that finding a medium where we still are following the rules the NCAA puts in place, but also getting in as much gym time as possible is high on my list of priorities. It is definitely going to be a different and unique year, but I believe that if our nation can change drastically for the better, we can change our everyday routines a little too.
HEAD COACH DANIEL JONES ON HAILEY MERKES:
"Hailey has made some really big strides this past fall and in the limited time we had together this spring. One of Hailey's biggest attributes, beyond her athleticism and physicality, is her desire to contribute. She loves being a Bobcat and has a huge passion for leaving her jersey, her teammates and this program better than she found it. I know what Hailey can do on the court; she's proven it on several occasions. I'm excited to see her continued growth and to observe her passion push her more than ever to do the little things that it takes to be great."
MERKES' PLAYING BIO:
JUNIOR (2019):
Merkes provided a spark off the bench and played in 16 matches, including 26 sets…on the season produced 19 kills, averaging .73 per set…tallied a season-high eight kills as the Bobcats defeated Sacramento State 3-2 in Shroyer Gym…totaled four kills versus Western Michigan…ended the season with five digs…notched six block assists, including two against both Sacramento State and Montana…an all-Big Sky Conference Academic honoree.
SOPHOMORE (2018):
Merkes had an outstanding first season in the Blue and Gold playing in 58 sets and receiving eight starts...posted 103 kills on the season, averaging 1.78 per set...recorded a season-high 11 kills in Montana State's 3-0 win at Eastern Washington...had a season-best (20 or more swings) against EWU hitting .391 from the field (11-2-23)...registered 22 digs, including a season-high four saves on two occasions against Northern Arizona and Portland State...tallied 19 total blocks...registered thee blocks against Eastern Washington, Portland State and Montana...was an All-Big Sky Conference Academic honoree.
FRESHMAN (2017):
Redshirted the 2017 season.
HIGH SCHOOL:
Merkes prepped at Half Moon Bay High School where she helped guide the Cougars to an 18-win season, last fall under the direction of head coach Ryan Havice. A four-time team MVP and captain, she received CIF Central Coast Section First-Team All-League honors on four occasions. During her junior and senior campaigns, Merkes was recognized as a San Mateo County Athlete of the Week. As a junior and senior, she ranked among the top 10 in kills in the state of California. Merkes played club ball with the Red Rock Volleyball Club out of Redwood City, Calif.
PERSONAL:
She is the daughter of Greg and Dawn Merkes, both of which attended Montana State.
In her 20+ years, Hailey Merkes has faced more adversity than most. And, despite the challenges, her quiet resolve has its advantages when she is called off the bench to produce and provide a spark as part of the Bobcat rotation. Last season, she played in 16 matches and her doggedness was no more evident as she filled in for injured all-Big Sky performer Evi Wilson recording eight kills to help the Bobcats to a 3-2 win over Sacramento State in Shroyer Gym. Head coach Daniel Jones will count on her tenacity again this season as the Cats look to climb into the upper echelons of the Big Sky Conference.
CATCHING UP WITH HAILEY:
1). Can you give us an update on your current status?
I am currently in Bozeman but did go back to California for the majority of quarantine. Ever since I've been back, we've been playing lots of beach volleyball and yard games like corn hole at home. A few teammates and I have also participated in the Black Lives Matter protest and rally here in Bozeman.
2). How do you think the spring volleyball season was progressing before everything shut down?
I think the spring season was going great and everyone was progressing tons! Having so much time in the gym was definitely beneficial and everyone could feel the leaps forward we were taking as a team.
3). What are your goals heading into the fall and what are the expectations for the team?
I think most of our goals as a team remain the same, with winning a Big Sky Conference championship at the top of them. Personally, I believe that finding a medium where we still are following the rules the NCAA puts in place, but also getting in as much gym time as possible is high on my list of priorities. It is definitely going to be a different and unique year, but I believe that if our nation can change drastically for the better, we can change our everyday routines a little too.
HEAD COACH DANIEL JONES ON HAILEY MERKES:
"Hailey has made some really big strides this past fall and in the limited time we had together this spring. One of Hailey's biggest attributes, beyond her athleticism and physicality, is her desire to contribute. She loves being a Bobcat and has a huge passion for leaving her jersey, her teammates and this program better than she found it. I know what Hailey can do on the court; she's proven it on several occasions. I'm excited to see her continued growth and to observe her passion push her more than ever to do the little things that it takes to be great."
MERKES' PLAYING BIO:
JUNIOR (2019):
Merkes provided a spark off the bench and played in 16 matches, including 26 sets…on the season produced 19 kills, averaging .73 per set…tallied a season-high eight kills as the Bobcats defeated Sacramento State 3-2 in Shroyer Gym…totaled four kills versus Western Michigan…ended the season with five digs…notched six block assists, including two against both Sacramento State and Montana…an all-Big Sky Conference Academic honoree.
SOPHOMORE (2018):
Merkes had an outstanding first season in the Blue and Gold playing in 58 sets and receiving eight starts...posted 103 kills on the season, averaging 1.78 per set...recorded a season-high 11 kills in Montana State's 3-0 win at Eastern Washington...had a season-best (20 or more swings) against EWU hitting .391 from the field (11-2-23)...registered 22 digs, including a season-high four saves on two occasions against Northern Arizona and Portland State...tallied 19 total blocks...registered thee blocks against Eastern Washington, Portland State and Montana...was an All-Big Sky Conference Academic honoree.
FRESHMAN (2017):
Redshirted the 2017 season.
HIGH SCHOOL:
Merkes prepped at Half Moon Bay High School where she helped guide the Cougars to an 18-win season, last fall under the direction of head coach Ryan Havice. A four-time team MVP and captain, she received CIF Central Coast Section First-Team All-League honors on four occasions. During her junior and senior campaigns, Merkes was recognized as a San Mateo County Athlete of the Week. As a junior and senior, she ranked among the top 10 in kills in the state of California. Merkes played club ball with the Red Rock Volleyball Club out of Redwood City, Calif.
PERSONAL:
She is the daughter of Greg and Dawn Merkes, both of which attended Montana State.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's VolleyballWednesday, January 18
Monday, November 15
Saturday, September 04
Friday, September 03
