Indiana University Athletics
Merritt’s Size Doesn’t Match Her Fight
11/22/2015 12:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
Tiny, Lucky Charms, Fun Sized—Kyndall Merritt has heard it all before.
At 4-foor-11, the senior defensive specialist has grown up getting heckled in opposing gyms for her size, or rather, lack thereof. She's become so used to it that she's left unfazed even when Ohio State's student section starts singing Disney's "It's A Small World" behind her as she serves.
"You just learn to embrace it," Merritt said. "Embrace the fact that I'm small and able to do this when other people are not. That kind of does it for you right there. Being heckled doesn't really bother me anymore. It gives me fire. It actually makes me play better."
Merritt's size is only part of what makes her stand out on the court. She's one of Indiana's most-used players, rotating in for a team-high 105 sets, and has been one of the Hoosiers' most consistent players this season in the back line.
"She never wants to hear that she lacks confidence because she doesn't," head coach Sherry Dunbar-Kruzan said. "She fights. She scraps. She plays with an infectious energy. She just does her job."
And it doesn't go unnoticed, either.
A few days after Indiana traveled to Minnesota to play the Golden Gophers earlier this season, a Minnesota fan in the stands was impressed with Merritt's intensity and effort on the floor. So much so that he found Dunbar-Kruzan's email address and wrote to her, saying he was inspired by Merritt's play.
"I had her read that email because I think sometimes you can blend in and you don't realize that people are watching everything you're doing," Dunbar-Kruzan said. "You're in Minnesota and somebody notices you. So that's a tribute. You're making yourself stand out because of the plays you make, because of your attitude, because of your leadership. That makes you a fighter."
Four years ago, Merritt had a similar experience when she met a 12-year-old girl in Nebraska who stopped growing at 4-foot-7. The aspiring volleyball player looked up to Merritt as proof that her size wouldn't slow her down.
"It's weird just knowing that because I'm 4-11 that I make an impact on some kids," Merritt said. "It's absolutely awesome because that's how I was when I was younger. I was always looking at college volleyball players like, 'Oh my gosh, you're so cool.' Now that I'm one of them, I know exactly what little kids are thinking. I really try to embrace that."
On the floor, Merritt tries to be a sparkplug for her teammates.
Defensive specialists don't have many individual statistics to quantify their play. Most of their work is done setting up teammates for their own individual success.
Merritt measures her own play based on her teammates around her. When she can provide an infectious energy by diving for a loose ball or setting up a teammate for a kill, she's done her job.
"My success comes from when I played well or better than I normally do and then someone else jumps on board with me," she said. "That's when you know you're playing your best."
Merritt's beginning to run out of time where she can embrace being a role model and lead her teammates. The Hoosiers only have two regular-season matches remaining, including senior night on Saturday Nov. 28 against Minnesota.
She said she's trying not to let it creep into her head, but there's a bittersweet feeling about a playing career coming to an end. It's all she's known during her time in Bloomington.
If nothing else, Merritt has already made her mark not only on Indiana's program, but on young players like the girl she met in Nebraska or the fan in Minnesota who were both inspired by her play.
The 4-foot-11 defensive specialist made her share of plays for the Hoosiers, offering another reminder that some things can't be measured.
"I don't think she'd be the same player or person if she was 6-foot," Dunbar-Kruzan said. "I think that brings out the best in her."
IUHoosiers.com
Tiny, Lucky Charms, Fun Sized—Kyndall Merritt has heard it all before.
At 4-foor-11, the senior defensive specialist has grown up getting heckled in opposing gyms for her size, or rather, lack thereof. She's become so used to it that she's left unfazed even when Ohio State's student section starts singing Disney's "It's A Small World" behind her as she serves.
"You just learn to embrace it," Merritt said. "Embrace the fact that I'm small and able to do this when other people are not. That kind of does it for you right there. Being heckled doesn't really bother me anymore. It gives me fire. It actually makes me play better."
Merritt's size is only part of what makes her stand out on the court. She's one of Indiana's most-used players, rotating in for a team-high 105 sets, and has been one of the Hoosiers' most consistent players this season in the back line.
"She never wants to hear that she lacks confidence because she doesn't," head coach Sherry Dunbar-Kruzan said. "She fights. She scraps. She plays with an infectious energy. She just does her job."
And it doesn't go unnoticed, either.
A few days after Indiana traveled to Minnesota to play the Golden Gophers earlier this season, a Minnesota fan in the stands was impressed with Merritt's intensity and effort on the floor. So much so that he found Dunbar-Kruzan's email address and wrote to her, saying he was inspired by Merritt's play.
"I had her read that email because I think sometimes you can blend in and you don't realize that people are watching everything you're doing," Dunbar-Kruzan said. "You're in Minnesota and somebody notices you. So that's a tribute. You're making yourself stand out because of the plays you make, because of your attitude, because of your leadership. That makes you a fighter."
Four years ago, Merritt had a similar experience when she met a 12-year-old girl in Nebraska who stopped growing at 4-foot-7. The aspiring volleyball player looked up to Merritt as proof that her size wouldn't slow her down.
"It's weird just knowing that because I'm 4-11 that I make an impact on some kids," Merritt said. "It's absolutely awesome because that's how I was when I was younger. I was always looking at college volleyball players like, 'Oh my gosh, you're so cool.' Now that I'm one of them, I know exactly what little kids are thinking. I really try to embrace that."
On the floor, Merritt tries to be a sparkplug for her teammates.
Defensive specialists don't have many individual statistics to quantify their play. Most of their work is done setting up teammates for their own individual success.
Merritt measures her own play based on her teammates around her. When she can provide an infectious energy by diving for a loose ball or setting up a teammate for a kill, she's done her job.
"My success comes from when I played well or better than I normally do and then someone else jumps on board with me," she said. "That's when you know you're playing your best."
Merritt's beginning to run out of time where she can embrace being a role model and lead her teammates. The Hoosiers only have two regular-season matches remaining, including senior night on Saturday Nov. 28 against Minnesota.
She said she's trying not to let it creep into her head, but there's a bittersweet feeling about a playing career coming to an end. It's all she's known during her time in Bloomington.
If nothing else, Merritt has already made her mark not only on Indiana's program, but on young players like the girl she met in Nebraska or the fan in Minnesota who were both inspired by her play.
The 4-foot-11 defensive specialist made her share of plays for the Hoosiers, offering another reminder that some things can't be measured.
"I don't think she'd be the same player or person if she was 6-foot," Dunbar-Kruzan said. "I think that brings out the best in her."
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