Harris sets sights on Campbell

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 20, 2013 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Taylor Waddell called her cousin, Cierra Harris, one afternoon and asked if she'd catch for her during a Campbell University pitching camp.

Harris agreed.

Sweating from the humidity and catcher's garb, Harris struck up a conversation with the Camels' coaching staff. The longer they talked, the more Harris became intrigued with the up-and-coming Division I program.

"I just loved how he presented himself as a coach," Harris said. "The school itself, this college everyone looks as a prestigious school that has great connections to many law schools because I want to become either a lawyer or get a degree in business.

"It's a Christian college. I'll have people just like me there beside me every day. Everything just seemed to fall into place and become perfect."

The difficult decision suddenly grew easy for the Charles B. Aycock senior, who signed a national letter-of-intent to play at Campbell. She is the second Golden Falcon to sign a Division I scholarship this season along with teammate Meredith Burroughs, who is headed to N.C. State.

The duo are the program's first Division I signees since Jenny Jackson inked with Western Carolina in 2005.

A spirited player with a contagious personality and passion for softball, Harris entertained attending either Elon University, Chowan University, UNC Wilmington or Mount Olive College. Each program had its own superb qualities, but Harris' heart dropped when the coaches asked her what it would take to get her into a Campbell uniform.

"Can I have my jersey now so I can start playing?" Harris asked.

The Camels posted a 39-21 record last season and fell to Longwood (Va.) University in the Big South Conference tournament championship game. Campbell belted a school-record 68 home runs and the 39 victories was the second-highest, single-season win total in program history.

Harris understands winning.

She's played on three Aycock teams which have either shared or claimed outright the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference regular-season title. The Golden Falcons have won 11 ECC crowns since the league's inception in 2001-02.

Aycock finished 14-10 last spring and endured a season-ending, second-round loss to Washington in the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs.

The 5-foot-1 Harris admits she must get bigger, stronger and faster. She needs to take the simple mechanics of slap-hitting and outfielding further, and take care of the little details in her daily game.

"Cierra's discipline and desire to make herself better is evident after being around her for only a short time," CBA head coach Emily Burke said. "Campbell will be a great fit for Cierra and they will be lucky to have such a talented and special young lady to represent their school."