Merry Graf enters her 26th season as the head women's volleyball coach at Webster University in 2026–27. Since taking over the program in 2001, Graf has compiled a 456–301 (.602) overall record and a 298–78 (.793) mark in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) play. She has recorded more than 500 victories during her collegiate coaching career.
Under Graf's leadership, Webster has captured eight SLIAC Tournament championships and made eight NCAA Division III Tournament appearances (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014). The Gorloks have also won seven SLIAC regular-season championships, while Graf has been named the conference Coach of the Year four times (2005, 2007, 2011 and 2012).
Throughout her tenure, Graf has developed numerous All-Conference performers, including SLIAC Players of the Year, Defensive Players of the Year, Newcomers of the Year and an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American. Her teams have also established a tradition of academic excellence, earning the AVCA Team Academic Award 20 times, including 18 consecutive years through the 2025–26 academic year.
In 2025, Graf guided the Gorloks to the SLIAC Tournament semifinals after entering the postseason as the No. 6 seed and defeating third-seeded Lyon College in the quarterfinals. Webster finished 11–18 overall and 6–8 in conference play. Grace White earned Third Team All-Conference recognition, while Tyler Ramstack was selected to the SLIAC All-Sportsmanship Team. The program also received its 20th AVCA Team Academic Award during the 2025–26 academic year, compiling a 3.78 team GPA and earning AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll recognition.
During the 2024 season, Graf led Webster to a 14–17 overall record and a 7–9 mark in SLIAC competition. The Gorloks advanced to the SLIAC Tournament semifinals, while freshman Eva Tarlos was named the SLIAC Freshman of the Year, becoming the first Webster player to receive the award since 2011. Tarlos also earned Second Team All-Conference honors.
In 2023, Graf guided Webster to a 16–16 overall record and a 13–5 conference mark. The Gorloks finished fourth in the conference standings and advanced to the SLIAC Tournament. Lauren Borik was named the SLIAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference recognition.
The 2022 season saw Webster finish 15–12 overall and 9–5 in conference play, placing third in the SLIAC standings. The Gorloks advanced to the SLIAC Tournament semifinals and received the conference's Team Sportsmanship Award. Four student-athletes earned All-Conference honors.
During the fall 2021 season, Graf guided Webster to a 13–14 overall record and a 6–6 mark in SLIAC competition. Lauren Borik was named the SLIAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, earning First Team All-Conference recognition.
In the COVID-19-shortened 2020–21 season, played during the spring semester, Graf led the Gorloks to a 12–5 overall record and a 10–3 mark in conference play. Webster appeared in the AVCA Division III national rankings for five weeks, reaching as high as No. 14 for two consecutive weeks. The Gorloks also captured the Bronze Bracket consolation championship at the AVCA Division III National Invitational in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lauren Borik earned her first SLIAC Player of the Year award.
During the 2019 campaign, Webster finished 17–12 overall and 14–4 in conference play, advancing to the SLIAC Tournament for the 16th consecutive season. Kristen Farrah earned her second straight SLIAC Defensive Player of the Year award and received AVCA Honorable Mention All-Central Region recognition.
The 2018 season was highlighted by Webster capturing a share of the SLIAC regular-season championship with a 16–2 conference record. The Gorloks finished 19–12 overall and advanced to the conference tournament championship match. Kristen Farrah made conference history by becoming the first volleyball player to earn both SLIAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season. Farrah also led NCAA Division III in digs per set and earned AVCA Honorable Mention All-Central Region recognition. During the season, Graf collected her 400th career collegiate coaching victory with a three-set sweep of Westminster College.
In 2017, Graf guided Webster to a 17–14 overall record and a 15–3 mark in SLIAC competition, earning a share of second place in the conference standings.
The 2016 season saw the Gorloks finish 19–13 overall and 13–5 in conference play, earning a share of third place in the SLIAC.
During the 2015 campaign, Webster finished 16–18 overall and 14–4 in conference competition, placing third in the conference standings.
In 2014, Graf led Webster to a 22–13 overall record and a 15–3 mark in SLIAC play. The Gorloks captured their fourth consecutive SLIAC Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the fourth straight season.
The 2013 campaign saw Webster finish 26–9 overall and 16–2 in conference play. The Gorloks captured their third consecutive SLIAC Tournament championship and earned another NCAA Tournament appearance. Sam Kersting was named the SLIAC Defensive Player of the Year and SLIAC Tournament Most Valuable Player.
In 2012, Graf guided the Gorloks to a 24–10 overall record and a 15–1 conference mark, capturing a share of the SLIAC regular-season championship and winning the conference tournament title. Graf earned her fourth SLIAC Coach of the Year award, while Sam Kersting became the first volleyball player in Webster history to earn AVCA All-American honors, receiving Third Team recognition.
During the 2011 season, Webster finished 19–13 overall and 14–2 in conference play, earning a share of the SLIAC regular-season championship. The Gorloks captured the conference tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Graf was named the SLIAC Co-Coach of the Year, while Jenny Howard earned SLIAC Newcomer of the Year honors.
In 2010, Graf guided Webster to a 17–17 overall record and a 12–4 mark in conference competition, finishing third in the SLIAC standings.
The 2009 season saw the Gorloks finish 20–13 overall and complete a second consecutive undefeated SLIAC regular season with a 16–0 conference record. Webster captured both the regular-season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
In 2008, Graf led Webster to a 23–6 overall record and an undefeated 16–0 mark in SLIAC competition. The Gorloks captured the conference regular-season and tournament championships, securing another NCAA Division III Tournament appearance.
During the 2007 campaign, Webster finished 25–10 overall and 17–1 in conference play. The Gorloks captured the SLIAC regular-season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Graf earned her second SLIAC Coach of the Year award.
In 2006, Graf guided the Gorloks to a 20–11 overall record and an 8–1 mark in conference competition. Webster captured its first SLIAC Tournament championship under Graf, earning the program's first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance during her tenure.
The 2005 season marked a milestone for Graf and the Gorloks. Webster finished 21–10 overall and 13–1 in conference play, capturing its first SLIAC regular-season championship under her leadership. Graf earned her first SLIAC Coach of the Year award.
In 2004, Webster posted a 22–8 overall record and a 10–2 mark in conference play, finishing second in the SLIAC standings.
The 2003 Gorloks finished 14–10 overall and 9–5 in conference competition, placing third in the conference standings.
During the 2002 season, Graf guided Webster to a 17–11 overall record and a 12–2 mark in SLIAC play, finishing second in the conference standings.
Graf began her tenure at Webster in 2001, guiding the Gorloks to a 17–9 overall record and a 10–4 mark in conference competition. Webster finished third in the SLIAC during her first season leading the program.
Prior to arriving at Webster, Graf spent five seasons as the head volleyball coach at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. She has also coached grade school, high school and USA Juniors volleyball teams throughout the St. Louis area.
In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Graf serves as Webster University's Assistant Athletic Director, Compliance Coordinator and Senior Woman Administrator. She also served as the university's interim director of athletics during the 2013–14 academic year.
Graf graduated from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications before earning a Master of Education in Kinesiology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She also holds a USA Volleyball Coaching Accreditation Program (CAP) Level II certification.
A standout collegiate student-athlete in both volleyball and softball at Millikin, Graf earned the university's Best Blocker Award in volleyball and established a softball program record with five hits in a single game.
