Merritt Returns to Court After Injury

GAMEDAY FEATURE STORY

by Cathy Bongiovi, Athletic Communications

Temple guard Monaye Merritt spent last season on the bench. Not by choice. During the summer she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), faced surgery and rehab, and spent the season cheering on her teammates from afar.

This season is different: Monaye Merritt is back.

"It means a lot to me to be back," the 5-6 guard said. "Just that year off I was able to learn from and see the mistakes that, not only I made before, but my teammates did and help them from the sidelines. Now I feel I can do both of those things."

Merritt has wasted no time either. The back-up point guard, who is now 100 percent healthy, continues to teach and coach true freshman point guard Feyonda Fitzgerald.

"If I don't remember plays or I get lost on a play, she'll come to me and say, 'don't worry about it'," Fitzgerald said. "I think she knows the game very well. She just helps me."

Merritt's roommate, junior Tyonna Williams, who has also spent time directing the Temple offense, agrees.

"Monaye's been playing point guard her entire life, and she has a lot of great insight," Williams said. "If she's talking to you about basketball, her IQ is off the charts. She thinks so much and so in-depth."

The only player from Philadelphia on this year's roster, Merritt grew up watching Sixers' standout Allen Iverson and point guard Jason Kidd. She takes her Philly roots seriously and doesn't feel any extra pressure to perform.

"We always talk about Philly pride and Temple Made," Merritt said. "(Former NBA player) Rick Barry came and spoke, and he said there's no such thing as pressure if you're confident. You practice what you do, and if you're confident, there's no pressure. I'm confident in my abilities, and I don't feel a lot pressure. Of course, I want to do well, and I want to be great."

With only one season for the Owls under her belt, Merritt still has a lot to do on her collegiate check list.

The two-time team MVP at Friends' Central High School, Merritt was also a three-time first-team All-League selection. As a senior, she earned second-team All-State accolades after averaging 14.2 points, 3.5 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.6 steals per game. The three-time Main Line first-team All-Star was named the 2010-11 Main Line Media News Basketball Player of the Year and was a 2011 McDonald All-American nominee. Merritt holds the school record for assists. She was also the team MVP for track and field, placing first in the league in the shot put.

Merritt attended a few Temple women's games as a child, and always considered studying on North Broad Street.

"I knew that if I was going to stay local, this is definitely where I wanted to be," Merritt said.

As a true freshman in 2011-12, Merritt played in 23 games. She scored crucial buckets to preserve Temple's lead in a 61-57 win at Dayton, finishing with a season-high six points, and played a season-high 20 minutes in a win over UCLA. A kinesiology major, Merritt was named to Athletic Director's Honor Roll for having a GPA above 3.0.

Merritt is constantly studying.

"I read a lot. I like self-help books, like 48 Laws of Power," she shared. "Just ways to learn more about yourself. I'm also learning to play the guitar."

Merritt's insight will help her through the transitions this year. After a year off, she not only has to readjust to being back on the court, but the conference competition has changed. After 30 seasons in the Atlantic 10, Temple plays its inaugural season as a member of the American Athletic Conference which boasts some of the nation's best women's basketball teams.

"It's really exciting to be a part of something that's brand, brand new," Merritt said. "There are a lot of great teams in the conference."

Facing nationally ranked teams on a consistent basis doesn't faze her either.

"That's what you live for. The next game is always the biggest game," Merritt said. "And that's all that matters. Even before that it's getting through practice or getting through whatever's the challenge in front of you. If you complete that and you feel good and feel confident about what you're doing, then you can only move forward from there."

With three more seasons to go, Merritt has some goals she'd like to accomplish.

(This year) I would like to make it to the NCAA Tournament," she shared. "Before I graduate, I would like to have a conference championship."

With hard work and perseverance, anything is possible for Merritt and the Owls.

Temple University Athletics

Merritt Returns to Court After Injury

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