Merry shines with undefeated UMHB

Sarah Grace Merry has been doing her part to help the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team remain dominant.

The Normangee resident played in 16 of the first 17 matches, most recently as a right side hitter. The sophomore ranked fourth on the squad with 2.01 points per set and a .232 hitting percentage.

She said her role this season is more specific after being more of a utility player last year, when she played outside hitter and defensive specialist.

“I’ve done a lot better than last year,” the 6-foot Merry said. “I want to see all my numbers go up.”

Her play has improved because of “knowing when to make the smart plays” and “focusing on low errors,” she said.

She had to tweak her hitting technique.

“I had a very quick swing,” she said. “But I had a very low swing. Getting a higher swing motion, reaching over the block, trying to go over people instead of trying to push through.”

She had a career-high nine kills in two matches entering Oct. 13. She had a career-best 12 digs, her second consecutive match with at least 11 digs, against LeTourneau, when she had eight kills.

With the team being so dominant--16-2 last year and 17-0 thus far this year--Merry appreciates the intensity of the competition during her time in the program.

“When I first started playing here, I was amazed at how every team in the conference wants to come for us,” she said. “We absolutely love that every team brings their best.”

Women’s cross country Garlanesha Hickman-Gilbert was third among Jarvis Christian University’s entries and 37th overall in the LeTourneau Nicole Leman Invite 5K. The sophomore competed for Madisonville High.

Baseball Madisonville graduate Kody Nye is no longer on the McPherson College roster. He was listed as a freshman first baseman on the junior varsity roster last year.

Football Through five games, running back Cornelius Merchant led East Texas Baptist University with 283 rushing yards. The former Mustang averaged 10.5 yards per carry and had two touchdowns in the three games he played. The sophomore had 10 receptions for 66 yards.

Also from the Mustangs, Sterling College (Kan.) freshman wide receiver Armando Juarez rushed once for four yards against Bethany.

North Zulch resident Nick Osborne is a freshman quarterback for Sterling.

Normangee resident Mason Hardy is a freshman quarterback for Texas Lutheran University.

Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at jdanddoc@ gmail.com