
Aniya Merritt is a breakout table-setter for North Carolina A&T
In the 2026 season, redshirt freshman Aniya Merritt emerged as one of North Carolina A&T’s most reliable bats, hitting .385 with a team-leading 46 hits, a .407 on-base percentage, and just 15 strikeouts in 122 plate appearances. She started all 40 games she played, ranked sixth in the CAA in batting before the conference tournament, and earned first-team All-CAA and All-Rookie honors. Her appeal is simple: contact, consistency, and calm under pressure — the kind of outfielder who can fit any lineup that wants a steady left-to-right spark rather than boom-or-bust drama.



