University of South Carolina Aiken Athletics

Student-athletes face a variety of obstacles during their careers, including ones in the sport and outside. Sometimes it's in ones class or major while other times it could be a personal issue.

Senior Danielle Mercer, a 5-5 libero from Columbus, Ohio, headed into her senior season as an opening-day starter. Mercer has thrived on the court. Currently, she leads the Peach Belt Conference in digs (292) and digs per set (5.84). Mercer garnered PBC Specialist of the Week accolades earlier this year and ranks among the NCAA leaders in digs and digs per set.

At Lander, she established a school-record 28 digs in a three-set match, besting the previous high by two.

As much as Mercer has thrived on the court, she has had to face several issues off the court. The challenges she has faced have been quite unique, but she has persevered despite having to be aware of her surroundings due to an abundance of  food allergies.

Mercer sat down with PacerSports.com to discuss the challenges that she's recently been faced with – and is still in the process of overcoming.
 

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