Changing positions in any sport has its challenges and an adjustment period. But for Anna Merlack, the shift from offense to defense was a breeze.

In fact, she didn’t entirely leave offense behind. The Post-Gazette’s 2025 Field Hockey Player of the Year still led the Pine-Richland girls field hockey team in points, scoring 16 goals and providing 17 assists. She helped lead Pine-Richland to its seventh straight WPIAL Class 3A championship title.

“Switching positions was different, so it was a challenge in that regard,” Merlack said. “But I took it head on. I wasn’t necessarily expecting it to happen this year, but whenever the coaches told me they wanted me to go back and cover, I was really excited. It gives me the opportunity to set up a bunch of my teammates to be successful and make a

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