Hi Academy Family!

My name’s Hailey Merkes and I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Academy as a coach this season!

I started playing club volleyball at 13 years old, and immediately fell in love with the sport. Throughout my high school years I was named 4-time MVP, team captain, and earned CIF Central Coast Section First-Team All-League honors on 4 occasions as well as consistently earning bids to nationals on my club teams. During my junior and senior seasons I also ranked among the top 10 in kills in the state of California. After high school my love for volleyball led me to compete as a student-athlete at both Montana State University and Newcastle University in England where I played both indoor and beach volleyball. My experience as a player at the NCAA Division 1 level taught me resilience, a strong work ethic, and has helped me hone my personal volleyball philosophy. I am a firm believer that excellent preparation leads to excellent outcomes, and I strive to instill this mindset in my athletes.

I started my coaching career when I was 14, where I began giving private lessons to young players in my community. When I was 18 I coached my first club team out of my home town, Half Moon Bay. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of helping numerous teams become successful at the national level, coached volleyball all over the world, as well as assisted many athletes in the recruiting process as a recruiting coach both for indoor and beach volleyball.

My coaching philosophy focuses on creating a positive, inclusive environment where athletes can grow both individually and as a team. I emphasize resilience, grit, and the relentless pursuit of improvement. I believe in the power of open communication with athletes and that establishing clear pathways for dialogue with my players is essential for building trust and fostering a strong team dynamic.

I am beyond grateful to continue my coaching career with Academy this season and cannot wait to help young athletes pursue greatness through this beautiful game!