On 11 December 2016, Anastasiya Had her first relay podium in Pokljuka, Slovenia. In sprint in Oberhof she earned her first World Cup points. Since then she is a member of national team on a regular basis. She participated at 2017 Worlds where she showed great achievements as for debut: 10th in sprint, 8th in pursuit, and 14th in mass start. Merkushyna won silver medal in relay.