Merrida News

11/5/2013
Tara McIntyre's Verbal Commitment to Cal State Fullerton.
Congratulations are in order for Tara McIntyre, who has made a verbal commitment to Cal State Fullerton, in Fullerton California. Tara and her parents Bill and Lisa recently visited the campus while Tara was at the school to attend a softball camp. "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to go to a school like Cal State Fullerton. I've got so much on my mind right now. It's a little overwhelming, but I'm very happy. I guess I'm a California girl because I really wanted to stay on the west coast and I was able to accomplish that. The warm weather is something that I like. I like the area and the southern California atmosphere. Although I visited other places, this always felt like a good fit for me. It felt like home. I'm excited and relieved, all at the same time. I want to thank Coach Ford for having the faith in me. Fullerton has a great softball tradition and I'm proud to be part of it. I'm looking forward to the challenge. My plans are to major in business". Cal State Fullerton is a member of the highly competitive Big West Conference, together with Cal Poly, Cal State Northridge, Long Beach State, UC Davis, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara and Hawaii.

10/31/2013
Nerissa Long's Verbal Commitment to Oregon State University.
Congratulations are in order for Nerissa Long, who has made a verbal commitment to Oregon State University, in Corvallis, Oregon. Nerissa recently visited the campus with her family; mother Nicole, stepfather Spencer, and four year old brother Ryder. "My visit to Oregon State was the best trip ever. It was simply a chance to to see the campus, the team and the surrounding area one more time. I love the the fact that the campus is as small as it is. Watching the team workout was great and I could see myself working with the team in a few years. I"m happy that I can stay close to home but still far enough away at the same time. Having Coach Berg as my coach is great but I tried to look at her as just another coach during recruiting. I didn't want her to be my main reason for coming to Oregon State. Coach Hirai was great through the whole thing. He was nothing but honest and never once did he pressure me to make a decision. I know I took my time to make a choice of schools but I feel good about the way it all went. I'm thankful for all of the support that I got from my coaches, teammates and especially my family.", said Nerissa. Oregon Sate University competes in the PAC-12 Conference with, Arizona State University, Stanford University, University of Arizona, UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Utah, University of Oregon, and the University of Washington.

9/12/2013
Jessica Garcia's Verbal Commitment to Oregon State.
Congratulations are in order for Jessica Garcia, who has made a verbal commitment to Oregon State University. Jessica and her parents Pancho and Julie recently visited the campus and attended a softball camp. "I was able to go to the campus with family, friends and teammates and it made my visit that much more special. I was especially happy that my close friend Shelby was there as well as Nerissa. We had a great time. I have felt for a long time that Oregon State is where I wanted to go to school, but I really needed that confirmation by visiting the school and spending time with Coach Berg and Hirai. I'm so excited to have the opportunity to be coached by Coach Berg. I plan to major in kinesiology. When I talked with Coach Berg and Hirai after the camp, I still had some anxiety but that soon went away after I told them that Oregon State is where I want to be. Coach Berg had a big smile from ear to ear. I feel overjoyed, relieved and excited, all at the same time". Jessica will join current All American teammate Shelby Weeks at Oregon State in the fall of 2015. Oregon State University is a PAC-12 participant along with Arizona State University, Stanford University, University of Arizona, UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Oregon, University of Utah and the University of Washington.

1/30/2013
Shelby Week's Verbal Commitment to Oregon State.
Congratulations are in order for Shelby Weeks, who has made a verbal commitment to Oregon State University. Shelby and her mother Cheryl traveled to Corvallis, Oregon and arrived at 2:15 a.m. for an unofficial visit at the school that was to begin at 6:00 a.m. Shelby's dad Mike and her brother Michael stayed at home. "I was tired but I was also excited. Only getting a few hours of sleep did make me feel a little groggy but after getting around the coaches and the team, I got a big burst of energy. It was great to be on campus even though it was cold and it rained later that morning. The campus has trees everywhere and so it is a very pretty. It's small enough that you can walk everywhere but big enough to give you that college feel. I was able to sit in on a communications class. It was interesting but I'd like to major in criminal justice or sports medicine. It was fun to watch the softball team practice indoors. I wanted to join in. It was a different kind of a setting as we sat together with the coaches on buckets after the practice. After talking with coach Berg and coach Harai, I told them that I had made up my mind and that I wanted to come to Oregon State. Coach Berg leaped from her bucket and gave me a big hug an so did coach Harai. My mom was crying. I'm really happy and excited. I know that there is much more for me to experience and learn. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to be coached by one of the best softball players to have ever played the game." said Shelby. Oregon State University is a PAC 12 participant along with Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, Utah and Washington.

10/29/2012
Madilyn "Bubba" Nickle's Verbal Commitment to UCLA.
Congratulations are in order for Madilyn "Bubba" Nickles, who has made a verbal commitment to the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Bubba and her parents Ted and Natalie visited the campus this weekend after finishing the tournament in Hemet, California. "I was really nervous leading up to the visit this weekend. I've had a chance to go on some other visits and I've had a great time but I was definitely nervous knowing that UCLA was my dream school and that I actually had a legitimate chance to go to the school. Walking on the campus with my parents and future coaches really brought everything into focus for me. The campus is beautiful and very self contained. There is very little that anyone would need, that you can't find on campus. I was able to see the new Poly Pavilion where the student athletes were rehearsing for the opening of the new facility. Meeting the families of coaches Perez and Fernandez just confirmed my decision to attend UCLA and make it my home. It definitely felt like family. When I told coach Perez of my decision she leaped from her chair and gave me a big hug. I had a feeling of relief and overwhelming joy, all at the same time.", said Bubba. Bubba's early thoughts of a major is biology, with aspirations to become a doctor. UCLA is a member of the PAC 12 Conference