Merrell surpasses performance

Not even halfway through the volleyball season, Ahna Merrell already has surpassed her performance from a year ago. During the summer the Coastal Bend College sophomore focused on conditioning-- especially vertical training and agility--to prepare for the season. The Anderson-Shiro High School graduate also took private volleyball lessons.

The training has shown, for she has started more often and played more sets than she did all of last year. She ranked fifth among the Cougars in sets played as of Sept. 8.

She has been productive while playing different positions depending on need.

“I’m trying to be more consistent. I originally was recruited as a middle but was moved to right side,” said the 5-foot-7 Merrell, who is listed on the roster as a middle blocker. “I’m primarily right side.”

She has filled in at middle as necessary, including during a Sept. 6 loss, when she said two teammates were sidelined.

“I feel like I’ve picked it up,” she said. “How you get sets is a little different (in the positions).” She had a career- high 10 kills, second most on the squad, during an Aug. 19 win over Ranger College and had nine in the next match. She had at least six kills in four other matches. “I’ve been working on blocks, how to tool them, to get through them to get a point,” she said. She had a c a r e e r- high five digs, six kills and two blocks in a win over Our Lady of the Lake.

Baseball

Pitcher Tyler Eppler lost his Sept. 6 start for the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization. The Navasota High product’s record fell to 5-8 in 27 games, and he had a 4.75 earned run average.

Football

Jesse Hoke, who has lived in Richards, started for University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in the opener. He is an offensive lineman.

Joel Castaneda is no longer playing for Southwestern Assemblies of God University. He was a freshman on the team last year.

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

AHNA MERRELL