Kaya Merkler: Thriving In Front Of Hometown Roots

Posted Oct 18, 2021
Growing up in Chapel Hill, Kaya Merkler thought one day she would play for North Carolina. Not in Carmichael Arena, though, but at Dorrance Field for the UNC soccer team. "I never wanted to play volleyball at the start," she said. The 6-foot-3 middle hitter grew up in an athletic family. Her parents, Kristopher and Elif, met as student-athletes at Yale. (GoHeels.com)

Related: Volleyball

No. 25 UNC Volleyball Sweeps Clemson, 3-0
No. 25 UNC Volleyball (8-3, 3-0 ACC) swept Clemson, 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-14), Friday night at Carmichael Arena to bring its winning streak to four...
Sat Oct 3, 2026

Carolina Olympic Sports Weekly: September 21–27
It was a strong week across UNC Olympic sports, with several programs picking up notable road wins. Women’s soccer remained unbeaten in ACC play, field...
Mon Sep 28, 2026

No. 24 UNC Volleyball Wins Five-Set Thriller At Wake Forest
No. 24 UNC Volleyball won a five-set nail-biter over Wake Forest (25-21, 23-25, 26-24, 30-32, 15-9) on Sunday (Highlights). Safi Hampton had her best match...
Mon Sep 28, 2026

No. 24 UNC Volleyball Throws Block Party at NC State, Downs Wolfpack 3-1
No. 24 UNC Volleyball took down NC State (28-26, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16) in front of a sellout crowd in Raleigh on Friday night to start...
Sat Sep 26, 2026