Melanie Carter begins her second year at Shorter after spending two years as a graduate assistant at West Alabama. Last season, she led the Lady Hawks to a 50-win season and an appearance in the NAIA National Softball Championship, following a second place finish in the Region XIII Championship. She was named the Region XIII and Southern States Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, and was named the Eastern Division Coaching Staff of the Year from the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association.

She played her collegiate career at NCAA II University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she was a four-year starter for the Chargers, a four-time NFCA All-American, four-time First Team All-South Region selection, and in 2001 helped the Chargers to an NCAA II World Series appearance.

Her stellar career at UAH includes several records, including most assists in a season (187), most career at-bats (795), most career runs (231), most career doubles (65), most career total bases (519) and most career RBI (233). She was a four-time First Team All-GSC selection, a member of three GSC Championship teams, selected GSC East Division Freshman of the Year in 2000, and was a four time GSC All-Tournament Team selection.

Carter attended Lincoln County High School (where she was an All-State selection) and is a native of Fayetteville, Tenn. She graduated from UAH in December of 2003 with a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology and holds a M.A.T. in Physical Education (emphasis in Exercise Science) from West Alabama.

Carter also has extensive experience in softball camps at the University of Alabama, West Alabama and University of Alabama-Huntsville while coaching several 16U & 18U fastpitch travel teams.