Cami Merkel

Class:
Senior
Position:
A
Height:
5-5
Prev School:
West Forsyth High School
Hometown:
Cumming, Ga.

2024 (Jr.)

Selected as the ASUN Preseason Player of the Year
Started in all 18 games
Second on team with 32 goals, 14 assists and 46 points
Tallied two game-winning goals
Converted nine of 21 free-position opportunities
Totaled 20 ground balls, eight caused turnovers and two draw controls
Scored five goals in two games, including the regular season finale hosting Jacksonville (12-11 OT defeat)
Recorded eight contests with three or more points
Earned a season-high six points (4g, 2a) in a 20-17 win over Pitt
Finished season No. 4 in program history with 1.96 goals per game and 2.62 points per game and No. 7 in program history with 108 goals and No. 10 with 144 points
Named to the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll, CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll

2023 (So.)

Started 18 games
Named to the ASUN All-Tournament team, tallied nine goals and three assists (12 points) across two games
Selected to ASUN All-Conference second team
Qualified for the ASUN All-Academic team
Included on the ASUN Academic Honor Roll for the second straight year
Led the team in goals (45), assists (18) and points (63) on 100 shots (74 on goal)
Totaled 17 ground balls, 10 caused turnovers and a draw control
Began 2023 season with goals in six consecutive contests including two hat tricks in a 16-8 loss at Richmond (Feb. 18) and a 13-7 win at Pitt (March 14)
Ended season with at least three goals in the final six contests of the year
Tied a team-high seven points (5 g, 2 a) in a 21-8 win over Queens on May 4 in the ASUN Championship semifinal
Scored at least three goals in 10 contests and five goals in two games
Recorded three assists in four games
Took at least seven shots in seven contests
Was 11/29 in free position attempts
Registered multiple ground balls in five games

2022 (Fr.)

Started all 19 games
Named to the ASUN All-Freshman team
Garnered inclusion on the ASUN Academic Honor Roll
Led Liberty freshman in goals (31), assists (4), points (35), ground balls (10), caused turnovers (4), shots (77) and shots on goals (63)
Tallied four goals in season opener at Vanderbilt (Feb. 12) in Liberty debut
Finished season by making a major impact in the ASUN Championship with seven goals in two games
Totaled eight games with multiple goals, including a season-best five goals against Old Dominion March 2
Had four free-position goals on the season
Scooped up a season-best two ground balls versus Jacksonville on April 23

Prep

Graduate of West Forsyth High school
Received three major awards as a senior in 2021: USA Lacrosse All-American, USA Lacrosse Academic All-American and Jackie Pitts Award
Earned several other awards in 2021, including: first team all-state, Forsyth County Women’s Lacrosse Player of the Year, first team all-county and West Forsyth career goals record (262)
Totaled 92 goals, 27 assists, 119 points and 42 ground balls during senior season, finished career with 262 goals, 149 assists and 411 points
Named USA Lacrosse first team All-American as a sophomore in 2019 and earned numerous other awards: first team all-state, 2019 Girls Forsyth County Player of the Year and first team all-county distinction
Finished sophomore campaign with 97 goals, 58 assists, 155 points (most by a player in state of Georgia that season), 55 ground balls, a .840 free-position percentage and .700 shooting percentage
Led her team to final four of the state tournament in 2019
Had 24 goals, 23 assists, 47 points and 28 ground balls for an unbeaten (7-0) squad during an abbreviated 2020 campaign
Tallied 50 goals, 41 assists, 91 points, 35 ground balls and 51 draw controls as a freshman in 2018 while helping her team reach the state quarterfinals
Competed at the club level for Lady Laxers Lacrosse Club and Eagle Stix Lacrosse
Also ran for the West Forsyth High School cross country team

Personal

Daughter of Erik and Jenna Merkel
Father, Erik, played lacrosse at Penn State
Intends on majoring in biomedical sciences
Birthday is Aug. 12

Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
It was the perfect place because it immediately felt like home on campus and was a place where I could grow academically, athletically, and spiritually all at the same time.

Is there anything special you do pregame or postgame and why?
I wear my left sock on my right foot and right sock on my left foot.

Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My parents inspire me the most as they always push me to be my best while also setting a great example.

What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
Beating Jacksonville for the first time.

If you picked your jersey/uniform number, why is that number important to you?
My number is 21 because my dad’s college lacrosse number at Penn State was 21.

Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
Erik Merkel, my father, played Division I lacrosse at Penn State.

Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
For breakfast, Avocado Toast, for lunch, a BLT, and for dinner, steak and potatoes.

What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
Instagram

What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
Hanging out with friends.

Do you have any current pets (name and type of animal)?
I have two cats, Hazel and Maui.

Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Tom Brady

What is your favorite possession and why?
My Bible is my favorite possession.

What is your Go-To karaoke song?
Anything by Taylor Swift.

What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Switzerland because of the beautiful scenery of the Swiss Alps.