By: Max Able
Gracie goes up for a layup against Brescia University (photo courtesy of athletics.bellarmine.edu)
It came as no surprise to anyone who has followed Bellarmine women’s basketball when Gracie Merkle was named Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year. The Knights’ center led the ASUN in rebounds per game (11) and double-doubles (19) while collecting an ASUN record nine Freshman of the Week honors. She was also named conference player of the week three times and became the only unanimous selection to the ASUN All-Freshman team.
Merkle’s ability to dominate the game inside has put her in elite company as she received All-American consideration in her debut season. She said her teammates deserve a lot of credit for helping her earn these accolades.
“I couldn’t do it without my teammates getting me the ball,” she said. “I’m a post-player. I don’t dribble the ball up and down the court. I can’t go coast to coast, so they have to get me the ball.”
Knights head coach Chancellor Dugan said Merkle's presence on the floor changes the game.
“When you have someone who’s dominant like that on the offensive end, obviously it’s easier to say, ‘Hey, throw the ball to Gracie’ if nothing else works. On the defensive end, she takes that pride in blocking shots and being that rim protector,” Dugan said.
Senior forward Sheniqua Coatney said having Merkle down low takes pressure off of the Knights’ outside shooters.
“She provides a lot for us,” she said. “She’s 6-6, and you know that if you miss it, she’s going to get the rebound.”
Merkle’s strong play led the Knights to a five-win improvement in the 2022-23 season, more than doubling their win total from the year before. Dugan said the Knights have a strong foundation to build on as they look to become more competitive at the Division I level with Merkle leading the way.
“We’ve got a great core coming back, we’ve got some pieces in this recruiting cycle,” she said. “So, it’s just a really exciting time right now and [I’m] really looking forward to what these next three years can bring.”
Merkle said she looks forward to getting to play with the newcomers and believes that they can help take the Knights to the next level.
“I’ve talked to Coach Dugan about some of the recruits already, and she told me that they like to pass to the post, and they can shoot, so the inside-out game is going to be great” she said. “It’s very exciting.”
To follow the Knights, look for them on Twitter @BUKnightsWBB and Instagram @bellarminewbb.
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