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

Bridget Malone's Career Night Leads No. 19 UNC Volleyball To Thrilling Win Over Colorado State
No.19 UNC Volleyball (4-0) remains undefeated after a 5-set battle against Colorado State on Friday at Carmichael Arena (25-19, 25-21, 21-25, 18-25, 16-14, Highlights). Bridget...
Sat Sep 5, 2026

Being 'volleyball dad' at UNC dramatically different for Michael Malone this season
Michael Malone calls himself a "volleyball dad," but the dynamics of that have changed dramatically from when he followed Bridget Malone’s freshman season with the...
Fri Sep 4, 2026

No. 19 UNC Volleyball Remains Undefeated With 3-1 Win Over James Madison
No. 19 UNC Volleyball (3-0) remains undefeated with a 3-1 win Thursday over JMU (2-1) at Carmichael Arena (21-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-19, Highlights). This was...
Fri Sep 4, 2026

No. 19 UNC Volleyball Set To Welcome James Madison, Colorado State
UNC Volleyball closes out its three-match homestand with two more matches on Thursday and Friday against James Madison and Colorado State. The Tar Heels are...
Thu Sep 3, 2026