Soon after graduating from high school in Alameda, Calif., Maddie Mersch had to move eight hours away from friends, family and everything familiar. As a first-year biology major at Point Loma Nazarene University, Mersch quickly learned that college life would move fast. Early morning biology classes, chapel, afternoon practices and late-night labs became her new normal.
That was life for Mersch as a first year, balancing academics and athletics while adjusting to a completely new environment. Now, four years later, the biology major and forward for the women’s basketball team has learned not just how to manage the chaos, but how to lead through it.
Mersch’s PLNU basketball career has come to a close. Over four seasons with the Sea Lions, Mersch’s role has changed, from starter to key rotation player, and she’s become known for the grit and selfless style of play that her coach praises and says defines the team. Off the court, Mersch has balanced the demands of college basketball with rigorous academic schedules and research, and recently earned the Molecular Science Award.
Mersch said during her first year, she committed herself to more than she could handle. Now, as a fourth-year, she says the workload hasn’t gotten easier, but she has learned how to manage it, contributing to her achievement of winning the award.
“[My summer research] kind of symbolizes the culmination of what I’ve done for the program,” Mersch said. “It’s been really cool to learn under my professor and grow in that space.”
Over the past four seasons, Mersch has had to take on multiple roles on the basketball court. From playing meaningful minutes as a freshman, to a tough stretch sophomore year that included being benched, then working her way back to being a starter as a junior to proceeding to be the sixth man her senior year.
“I’ve kind of played every role,” Mersch said. “There was even a game my sophomore year where I didn’t see the floor at all, and that felt really hard.”
Mersch said that even with setbacks throughout her basketball career, she always returned the next season with unwavering confidence, believing that she would be back. Those experiences helped her connect and interact with her teammates this year because they face similar challenges.
“I try to remind them that whatever role they’re in right now isn’t permanent,” Mersch said.
Charity Elliott, head coach of the women’s basketball team at PLNU, has coached Mersch all four years, mentoring Mersch into a leader for the program. Elliott described Mersch as a fearless and relentless force on the court, diving for balls, taking charges and doing whatever the team needs.
“She’s the epitome of grit,” Elliott said. “She just sacrifices her body and brings so much heart to everything she does.”
Elliott said that Mersch’s ability to connect with the team, along with her experience on the bench and as a starter, helps her relate to everyone.
“She’s been in every position,” Elliott said. “So she can tell players, ‘I’ve been where you are.’ That makes her leadership really special.”
Another player on the women’’s basketball team, Hannah Golan, a third-year biology major, said Mersch’s influence goes beyond the court. While Mersch is grinding during practice, she also carries that same work ethic into the classroom.
“[She is] incredibly smart and passionate about science,” Golan said.
Golan shared that Mersch has been a constant presence as a teammate and a friend.
“Maddie helped me get through a time when I was struggling mentally in basketball last year,” Golan said. “She’s been one of my closest friends both on and off the court.”
Golan said that Mersch’s ability to connect with the team makes her stand out as a leader.
For Mersch, basketball is more than wins and losses. She said the sport has shaped who she is.
“Basketball has been one of the most formative parts of myself,” Mersch said.
As her college career comes to an end, Mersch emphasized the importance of being present in life through labs, classes, practices and most importantly, games.
“Five years from now, nobody’s going to remember how many minutes I played,” Mersch said. “But my teammates are going to remember how I made them feel.”
Cade Michaelson