Wayland Baptist University women’s basketball player Maci Merket has been chosen as the Sooner Athletic Conference’s nominee for the NAIA Emil S. Liston Scholarship Award, presented by Daktronics.
Named in honor of the NAIA’s first executive secretary and the prime mover behind the NAIA men’s basketball tournament, the Emil Liston Scholarship Award has been presented annually since 1950 to one junior men’s and one junior women’s basketball student-athlete who has shown high athletic and scholastic achievement. The national award recipients will be announced during NAIA National Awards Day in September and recognized at the NAIA National Convention. Each will receive an award and a $1,000 scholarship.
A Life Science major from Canadian, Texas, who is on schedule to graduate in 3½ years, Merket is about to begin her fourth season with the Flying Queens. As a junior in 2017-18, the 5-foot-10 guard helped the Flying Queens to their most successful season in 26 years as the team advanced to the NAIA Fab Four and finished with a 27-7 record. Merket started all 32 games as she led the Flying Queens in scoring (14.2 points per game), rebounding (6.7) and steals (2.4). Her 3.1 assists were second only to NAIA assists leader Morgan Bennett.
Merket – who fashioned one triple-double and five double-doubles last season – finished among the NAIA’s best in several statistical categories, including 11th in total steals (77), 15th in 3-pointers made (77), and 18th in steals per game. She shot 36 percent from the field, 32 percent (77-of-243) from 3-point range, and 82 percent (62-of-76) from the free-throw line.
Merket, who will enter her senior season with 1,007 career points, was named Sooner Athletic Conference First Team, NAIA All-American Honorable Mention, and NAIA National Tournament First Team. She also earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors.
Merket’s coach, Alesha Ellis, said Merket is very deserving of being the SAC’s nominee for the prestigious award.
“Maci is one of those players that you never have to worry about bringing her best effort every day, both on and off the floor. She is a star who makes her teammates shine, always encouraging those around her. She is without a doubt one of the most coachable kids I have had.”
Added Ellis, “Maci is well loved in our community and can often be seen talking with fans, making them feel welcome in our program.”
WBU President Dr. Bobby Hall called Merket a “passionate player and fierce competitor,” adding that she “is a very hard worker, not just in the classroom and gym but, I understand, while working as a summer waitress in her hometown where she also coordinates and conducts youth basketball camps.”
According to Dr. Gene Whitfill, dean of education and exercise sports science at Wayland, Merket “is an intelligent and conscientious student. She knows the importance and the dedication necessary to be an excellent student.
“In addition, Maci is a young woman of character. She exemplifies hard work and effort. In every endeavor in the classroom or on the court, Maci strives to be the very best she can be.”
Wayland Director of Athletics Rick Cooper said, “Maci is a person and competitor of great character. She is a leader on her team in all the ways that make a team successful, and she is an excellent representative of our university in all that she does. We are very glad she is part of our family here at Wayland Baptist University.”
Merket also drew praise from her employer, restaurant owner Milton Cooke.
“Maci is very honest and hardworking and has proven to be an invaluable employee. She is always on time and willing to do whatever is asked of her. She is a dedicated server and a leader on the floor … and always has a smile on her face.”
Merket, who is on pace to graduate in December, wants to become a basketball coach and teacher.
The Flying Queens have had two Emil S. Liston Award winners: all-time leading scorer Sharla Harrison-George in 1988 and first-team NAIA All-American Kristina Edwards in 1995.
