Softball

Kee Completes Coaching Staff With Merrida Hiring

Softball Hires Christina Merrida As Assistant Coach

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Coach Kee hires former ECU Pirate Christina Merrida as assistant coach

Aug. 1, 2014

Mean Green softball head coach Tracey Kee has completed her staff with the hiring of Christina Merrida as assistant coach.

"We believe the addition of coach Merrida will be an immediate impact for our program and our student-athletes," said Kee. "Her energy, passion, knowledge and competitiveness will blend nicely into our staff and with our kids. Her familiarity with our style, philosophies, vision and values will help make her transition seamless."

Merrida played under Kee and current North Texas associate head coach Natalie Kozlowski as a player at East Carolina from 2007-10. While at East Carolina, Merrida helped the Pirates win the Conference USA Championship in 2010.

Merrida comes to North Texas from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas where she was an assistant coach. She worked with the outfielders and the slappers for the 2013-14 season. Merrida also served as a volunteer assistant at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C. from 2012-13.

While at ECU, the centerfielder was named to the preseason All-Conference USA team as a senior. She went on to bat .269 that season, posted 50 hits and stole 21 bases. She was a part of team that won the school's first Conference USA regular season and tournament championships and won a pair of NCAA Tournament games, including knocking out host and No. 7 national seed Texas.

Merrida was a four-year starter at centerfield for the Pirates. Over the course of her career, she was one of the team's leaders in runs scored and stolen bases. She finished fourth on the team in 2009 with a .281 batting average and 26 runs scored. As a sophomore, shed led the Pirates in runs scored with 37 and was second in stolen bases with 17.

"As her former coaches, we were able to witness firsthand her growth both as a student-athlete and a young adult," said Kee. "Now to be able to play an instrumental role in her coaching career is something we look forward to fostering."