Mercer Announces 2017 Volleyball Recruiting Class

MACON, Ga. – Six future Mercer student-athletes were officially announced as a part of head coach Damian Elder's 2017 signing class for the indoor and beach volleyball programs Thursday morning.

Mercer received National Letters of Intent (NLI) from Maddie Nunley, Sarah Stewart, Emilee Wissmach, Kylie Keeling, Elli Merchant and Gracie Garanich. The class spans four states including Georgia, Texas, Ohio and California. Nunley, Stewart and Wissmach signed to the indoor team while Keeling, Merchant and Garanich signed to the beach team.

"This incoming class of indoor and beach student-athletes embodies the true combination of being mission-driven academically and having the athleticism and experience required to continue the success built here in the classroom and on the court," Elder said. "We're proud to have them join an already amazing group of dedicated girls and families."

2017 MERCER VOLLEYBALL RECRUITING CLASS

PLAYER	POSITION	HEIGHT	HOMETOWN	PREV. SCHOOL
Gracie Garanich	Beach	5'10	Maineville, Ohio	Ursuline Academy
Kylie Keeling	Beach	5'5	Frisco, Texas	Frisco High School
Elli Merchant	Beach	6'0	Bedford, Texas	Euless Trinity
Maddie Nunley	Setter	5'10	Murrieta, Calif.	Vista Murrieta High School
Sarah Stewart	Outside Hitter	5'10	Savannah, Ga.	St. Vincent's Academy
Emilee Wissmach	Libero	5'6	Savannah, Ga.	Savannah Christian

GRACIE GARANICH – Maineville, Ohio
POS: Beach
HT: 5'10
PREV. SCHOOL: Ursuline Academy

Coach Elder on Garanich:
"Gracie's ability, matched with her personality, is going to make her a perfect addition to our beach team and volleyball program. She's a great all-around player who will be successful immediately at the collegiate level."

KYLIE KEELING – Frisco, Texas
POS: Beach
HT: 5'5
PREV. SCHOOL: Frisco High School

Coach Elder on Keeling:
"Kylie, along with fellow incomer Elli Merchant, is one of the most successful beach players in the country for the 2017 class. She's an amazing defender who understands how to win big matches."

ELLI MERCHANT – Bedford, Texas
POS: Beach
HT: 6'0
PREV. SCHOOL: Euless Trinity

Coach Elder on Merchant:
"Elli has proven to be one of the best attackers in her class throughout the nation. She, partnered with Kylie [Keeling], has consistently won at the highest level against the best competition."

MADDIE NUNLEY – Murrieta, California
POS: Setter
HT: 5'10
PREV. SCHOOL: Vista Murrieta High School

Coach Elder on Nunley:
"Maddie will immediately fill a role on this team and definitely has the skill and personality to help on day number one. Playing club at a high level has prepared her to set with confidence as an incoming freshman."

EMILEE WISSMACH – Savannah, Georgia
POS: Libero
HT: 5'6
PREV. SCHOOL: Savannah Christian

Coach Elder on Wissmach:
"Emilee will have some big shoes to fill as a libero at Mercer, but she has a very fluid and aggressive playing style that will fit nicely into our team's structure and game plan."

SARAH STEWART – Savannah, Georgia
POS: Outside Hitter
HT: 5'10
PREV. SCHOOL: St. Vincent's Academy

Coach Elder on Stewart:
"Sarah's athletic ability will be evident as soon as she hits her first ball in Hawkins Arena. The confidence and competitiveness she'll bring as a freshman will be invaluable."

FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Volleyball, please follow the Bears on social media at@MercerBearsVB (Twitter), and @mercervolleyball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.

Mercer University Athletics

Related News

Mercer Announces 2017 Volleyball Recruiting Class

Related Videos

Sponsors

Footer