Twin Tales, Part 5: Ashland's Mertz twins overcome birth issue

Ashland head coach Jason Clark talks to the players about bouncing back up after getting knocked down, among other ways of facing adversity.   Senior twins [player_tooltip player_id='782951' first='Anniston' last='Mertz'] (Wearing Number 6) and [player_tooltip player_id='782955' first='Sydney' last='Mertz'] (17) had a big challenge just before birth in their mother Cristin's womb. They had a blood cord connected to each other. As a result, Sydney took Anniston's blood and nutrients from her in what is called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. The twins spent about two weeks in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) under close monitoring, but did not have any setbacks. Their mom Cristin said they overcame it with the help of doctors, nurses, a lot of prayers and are currently in good health.   The Mertz twins hope to have big roles in helping the Ashland Kittens defend the 16th Region title. [player_tooltip player_id='782951' first='Anniston' last='Mertz'] plays defensive specialist/libero and [player_tooltip player_id='782955' first='Sydney' last='Mertz'] is a setter. The two will work with better team height this year with the 6-0 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='812840' first='Elise' last='Marcum'] and 5-11 senior [player_tooltip player_id='782415' first='Miley' last='Murphy']. Senior outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='836104' first='Mena' last='Pittman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='839821' first='Olivia' last='Wiley'] will give Ashland a sound outside presence and [player_tooltip player_id='766336' first='Karley' last='Jade Sperry'] provides support on defense.   The Mertz twins talked about their roles on the team in addition to other items. Ashland kicks off the season Aug. 18 at home against Prestonsburg.   Growing up Playing with Twin   Anniston: It can be challenging at times, but I feel we have that special bond - me being a DS and her being a setter, we kind of just click. We know how we are on the court. I've been very grateful to play with the same people including my sister growing up. We have six seniors. I've been playing with those girls my whole life and it's really sweet and special.   Sydney: It's been really fun. We do argue sometimes, but we usually resolve it pretty quick. She knows how to please me and I know how to please her. Our friends have come to understand that it will happen at times, but they also keep us in check when we do drag it on a bit.   State Tournament Experience   Anniston: We hope to make it to the state tournament in general. If we do, I think it's very fast-paced. I think we'll go far this year. Fingers crossed. Knock on wood.   Team Size   Anniston: I'm very excited. Sadie (Chaffins) was a great middle. Elise (Marcum) has grown a lot as a player. Being a freshman on the varsity team is kind of scary, but she got that taste last year. Her size really adds a lot to the front row and makes it easier for the back row to slow down and take a breath.   Defensive Positioning   Anniston: If the ball is coming toward the blocker's hands, you kind of want to be around the block. A smart hitter will hit around the block. Hopefully with our blockers, if (opponents) hit into the block, it will go straight down and not out to where we'll have to go dive to get it. It's about being smart and knowing where our blockers are. You just want to be (near the net) and see the ball at all times.   Resolving Conflicts   Anniston: Sydney and I don't have very many issues when it comes to arguing on the court, but it's about just having confidence in our team, knowing they can do things and knowing that these girls have what it takes. We're all here for the same goal and that's to win.   Sydney: We talk a lot because volleyball is pretty much a bunch of communication. Even with friendships and that, we have to talk to each other and make sure that we resolve all of those issues if we do have them.   Growth during Club Season   Anniston: During club season, I was a libero. It really helped my coach Brandon Shamblin with Mountain Monsters really helped a lot with defense and learning where to go. He taught me how to get around the block to see the ball at all times. It's a hard job, but somebody's got to do it.   On serve receive   Anniston: The server's only job is to try to ace the back row. Those first touches are not always going to be perfect, but it if it's up and toward the setter, then that's what the goal is.   Adjusting to hitters' power zones as setter   Sydney: I'm trying to get my vertical really high so I can jump a lot. I'm 5-6, 5-7, which is not very tall for someone who's in the front row most of the time. Being able to jump helps me get up on the block, get to the ball quicker, set my hitters, then I can also dump or hit, just being above the net helps a lot.   Balancing social, academic, athletic lives   Anniston: I'm always doing something. Before (summer league games in June), I was swimming. Then I came straight (to Ashland High) and took a shower. You have to have very good time management - when to be there and what to do. It's hard because I play multiple sports. I wouldn't have it any other way.   Sydney: I try to get where I need to be really quick and manage my time really well. I hang out with my friends pretty much all the time. We go hand out at the pickleball courts. Whenever I don't have anything to do with sports, I'll either rest or hang out with friends. That's pretty much it.   How Running Cross Country, Track and Field helps with Volleyball   Anniston: (Ashland Head Coach) Jason (Clark) really uses our speed to be quicker. He likes to serve on the whistle. He likes to tell us to speed up our offense, slow down our defense. Being quick helps me chase down balls. We do sprints in practice to help us with games. We try to run in under 23 seconds because that's the average volleyball rally. He gets us in shape for that. Those coaches help us not be out of breath in big moments.   Sydney: Running track and field and cross country definitely builds the leg muscles, which can help me with my vertical and jump higher, which helps me with my height and everything. It keeps me in shape, keeps me fast so that I can move quicker on the court and get to some of the balls that maybe someone else can't get to.   Program's solid alignment from players to coaches, administrators and parents   Anniston: It's good to know that we have the support from everyone else around us and that they believe in us. Just having that support from family, friends and coaches is really nice.   Sydney: It's really exciting knowing that we're pretty big this year. We're excited to win some games and hopefully make it to state. It's really good to have all the support from family, friends and everyone. It's really exciting.   Note from Mom and Dad   What has made me most proud of girls in their volleyball journey is both of their abilities to be leaders, yet stay humble. They encourage their teammates and cheer them on no matter what. They have also been multi-sport athletes and have been able to maintain 4.0-plus GPAs every year (volleyball, indoor/outdoor track and field, and cross country). Their ability to do all of those things amazes me! - Mom (Christin Mertz)   I would just add that we are proud of their ability to successfully manage their time between their athletics (school and travel), academics, social life, while creating and fostering friendships across all of those areas. I'm most proud of the fact that they are genuinely good kids who make smart choices. They want to, and choose to be positive influences in their relationships and lead by example rather than fall in line with the crowd. That kind of leadership isn't always vocally loud, but it speaks volumes in terms of influence. - Dad (Chris Mertz)    Mertz positions herself well with blockers and goes hard after balls, consistently recording two to three-point passes. She is not afraid to dive after balls if necessary and communicates well with teammates. It helped she played on the same club team with Ashland teammates [player_tooltip player_id='836104' first='Mena' last='Pittman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='794222' first='Greer' last='Layman'] during the spring. Described as kind, hard-working and caring by her teammates and close ones, Mertz is easy to talk to off the court. Clark said Mertz steps in where she is needed and describes her and her teammates as gym rats.     Mertz is trying to turn into a sound all-around player for Ashland. She takes full advantage of the strengths of the hitters the Kittens put on the court at any time. The lefty keeps opponents out of rhythm with her sound serves and takes good swings all over the court from the right side. Mertz also does a good job timing things on her blocks. Described as smart, outgoing and funny by her teammates, Mertz displays unselfishness both on and off the court. Clark said he likes how Mertz has progressed, knowing she can be a force at the net.    Note from the Writer   Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for one year and a half and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky rankings, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. 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Ashland head coach Jason Clark talks to the players about bouncing back up after getting knocked down, among other ways of facing adversity.