May 6, 2009

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (May 6, 2009) - Sacred Heart University head women's basketball coach Ed Swanson announced that Morgan Merriman (Seattle WA / Lakeside School) has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Pioneers in the fall of 2009. Merriman joins Kiley Evans (Cazenovia, NY / Cazenovia H.S.) and Amie Toner (Willimantic, CT / Windham H.S.) to make up this year's incoming freshman class.

"Morgan is a tough kid who has a knack for the basketball," stated assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Lauren Hall Gregory. "Her athleticism and high basketball IQ will be a great addition to our team. Morgan is an all-round student athlete who competes both on the court and in the classroom. We are excited to have her as part of our Sacred Heart family."

Merriman is a 6-0 forward from Seattle, Washington out of Lakeside School. A three-sport athlete, she was elected as the team captain of the basketball team the past two seasons. Merriman is coming off a senior season where she was named to the WIAC All-State team after leading her team to a four place finish in the 2009 state tournament. She was named to the 3A Seattle All-Metro first team as a junior and a senior and led her team to the 2009 Metro Championship. She earned 3A All-State Tournament second team honors in 2008 and 2009 and led all players in the state tournament in rebounding and in posted the tournament high for points in a game in the 2008 tournament with 28 points against Auburn High School.

Merriman, whose father Sam Merriman was drafted into the NFL by the Seattle Seahawks and played five seasons at linebacker with the club, also excelled on the lacrosse field and on the volleyball court. Merriman was the team captain of the lacrosse team in 2008 and 2009, leading her team to three-straight State Championships. She was named to the Northwest Regional team and to the All-State second team as a midfielder. On the volleyball court, she was named the Metro League Co-Player of the Year as an outside hitter. She was a second team All-State pick and an All-Metro League first team pick in 2008 and 2009.