Carien Venter returns for her second season as a graduate assistant for the Blue Raiders after a very successful playing career at Middle Tennessee.

The Pretoria, South Africa, native earned All-America honors during her senior campaign with Manon Kruse in doubles, with the duo ending the year ranked 10th in the nation in 2004. Kruse and Venter combined for a 25-3 record in 2003-04, while Venter recorded 72 career doubles wins, good for fourth on the all-time list at Middle Tennessee. Venter also collected 71 career singles victories, second on the career list to Kruse.

Venter helps with practices, individual workouts and conditioning, as well as assisting with coaching duties during matches and traveling with the team.

Venter received her bachelor's in Exercise Science in 2004 at Middle Tennessee and is currently working on her master's in Exercise Science.