Gary, Merryman share memories, leadership roles

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PENDLETON — Seniors Brinkley Gary and Michelle Merryman share much in common. They are the senior leaders for this year’s Pendleton Heights volleyball team and have a friendship that revolves around sports going back to volleyball tryouts in seventh grade.

It is a friendship that has lasted and helps both players on and off the court.

“It’s meant a lot of good sports memories and memories off the court, too,” Gary said. “I love it, because if I’m down or something, she’s always the one to pick me back up.”

“I like it because I’m not afraid to yell at her,” Merryman said.

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“I need someone to yell at me — that’s what gets me going,” Gary added. “We’re similar in that way, too.”

Gary said Merryman gets after her in a way that is motivational and constructive. Both players feel they make each other better players through their communication on the court.

“If I miss-hit a ball out of bounds, she’ll be like, ‘C’mon, you know you can get that in,’” Gary said. “Or she’ll tell me to snap my wrist — something that I can’t see, but she can.”

Both seniors said they learned something from last year’s senior class about being a leader. Gary said she learned to try to stay positive, no matter what. Merryman said she picked up on the importance of individual sacrifice for the betterment of the team.

“We chose for our quote of the year: ‘Sacrifice your ultimate commitment  lose your ego, and love your team,’” Merryman said. “It’s going to be a lot harder with six new players on varsity.”

Last season, Gary was tied for the team lead with 103 sets played, while Merryman played 97. No other player played more than 44 sets. Gary, who had 186 kills last season, said early success for the young team will be vital.

“It’ll be huge because, coming from JV, the underclassmen don’t really know the competition level,” she said. “When they realize they can play and win at that level, it will help later when we play those harder teams.”

Both Gary and Merryman have the sense of urgency to win, according to coach Blair Barksdale. Their goals are similar to others — they want to win county and sectional. But Merryman said the team must win many smaller battles along the way before those goals can become realized.

“Mine is one game at a time,” Merryman said. “We have to focus on one game and not look too far ahead.”

Both students are still thinking about post high school life. They are undecided on where to attend college, and both said they think they will pursue a career in the medical field. Gary is still weighing the possibility of playing volleyball in college, as her older sister, Quincey, is doing at University of Alabama.

“I haven’t gotten any offers, and I haven’t decided if maybe I could play D-2 or NAIA,” Gary said. “All (Quincey) can say is pros because she loves the game so much, she loves to travel and she gets her school paid for. She’s pushing me towards it, but if I decide to just go to school, she understands that, too.”

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