I Committed: Patience Pays off for Aniya Merritt

Aniya Merritt, a standout outfielder for Team NC—Britt, announced her commitment to continue studying and playing softball at North Carolina A&T State University.

As a junior at Lumberton High School, she quickly distinguished herself both on and off the diamond. With a remarkable 4.7 GPA in the Honors program, Aniya showcased not only her athletic prowess but also her commitment to academic excellence.

Aniya’s impact on the field extends beyond statistics. She broke school records for runs scored and stolen bases, highlighting her ability to change the game with her 2.5 home-to-first speed and agility.

Notably, she was honored as the Robeson County Player of the Year, a well-deserved recognition of her exceptional skills and contributions to her team.

Aniya’s success is not solely her own. In her own words, she attributes her achievements to the support of her family and the guidance of her coaches.

“Giving honor to God for blessing me throughout my life,” Aniya writes, “I want to thank my family for supporting me in this journey, as well as all of the coaches that have worked with me to make this a reality.”   

She committed in-person on August 17^th of this year while visiting the Greensboro campus.

“I loved how I could tell the coaching staff wanted me to be apart of their program. Coach Gonzalez emphasized that he wants to win and wanted to bring in players like me to achieve that goal,” shared the outfielder for Team NC. “He came to watch me play and kept in communication, which sold me.”

Her decision was influenced not only by her love for the sport but also by the school’s renowned engineering program. Aniya plans to major in Civil Engineering at NC A&T State, a testament to her determination to excel in academics while pursuing her passion for softball.

Aniya’s journey to her dream school wasn’t without its share of challenges. She shared her experience of waiting patiently for the right opportunity and not letting setbacks discourage her.

“I just want other girls to know sometimes things don’t always goes as planned. On September 1, I thought I would be committed and be done with the recruiting process,” recalled Aniya. “It took me all the way up to my senior year of high school to get committed. I tried to never let it discourage me I just focus on what I could control. The school that is for you will come along and make the wait worth it.”

Aniya will wear #3 for the Aggies and begins next fall.

— Regan Weekly/Extra Inning Softball

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