Bio

Megan Merchant is in her ninth season as the head women's volleyball coach at Olivet College in 2021. She also serves as the overall director of volleyball, overseeing also the men's program and is the athletic department's senior woman administrator.

Merchant is the winningest volleyball coach in school history, as the Comets have won 84 matches during her tenure at Olivet. In 2015, she led the Comets to a 14-14 overall record, with the 14 wins being the second-most in school history for a season. In 2019, Olivet matched that win total with 14 and the 14-12 record marked only the second winning season in school history. In addition, Merchant's teams have also excelled in the class room. Five teams have received the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Team GPA award as well as the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award. Individually, 52 players have combined for 96 MIAA Academic Honor Roll citations.

Prior to joining Olivet's staff, Merchant served as the head varsity girls' volleyball coach at Pewamo-Westphalia High School (PWHS) for six years. At PWHS, she oversaw all aspects of the program, including budgeting, fundraising, scheduling of tournaments and developing practice plans. In her six years, Merchant led the Pirates to a 228-86-38 record and was ranked as high as fifth in the state. Overall, she coached 11 All-State players. Merchant's other coaching experience has been head coach of the Spartan Juniors (premier 16 and under national team), assistant coach for the Michigan State club team and junior varsity coach at Lansing Christian High School.

In addition, Merchant served as a history teacher at Bridgman High School. She has also taught history and communications at Berkley High School and been a substitute teacher at Portland High School, Pewamo-Westphalia Junior High School and Bath High School.

Merchant earned a bachelor's degree in interpersonal & organizational communications and Bible theology from Great Lakes Christian College (GLCC) in 2009 and teacher's certificate from Cornerstone University in 2010. At GLCC, she was a four-year starter on the volleyball team as an outside hitter for three years and setter for one year. Merchant was a three-year captain and earned collegiate All-American honors. In 2019, Merchant was inducted into the inaugural class to the GLCC Hall of Honor.

Merchant obtained a master's degree in higher education administration with a focus in leadership from Upper Iowa University in 2015.

Merchant and husband, Andy, live in Charlotte, with their son, Eli, and daugthers, Mya and Natalie.