Krista Barts joins the Middle Tennessee staff for her first season as a graduate assistant.

Barts was a four-year letterwinner at Auburn, playing third base for one season before moving to the outfield. The Tigers made the NCAA Tournament three times during her career, including playing in the regional championship game against Arizona in 2006. She has 15 years of softball playing experience.

"I'm very excited to be a part of Middle Tennessee softball and look forward to sharing my knowledge of the game with the team and helping them to grow as athletes as well as individuals," Barts said.

Barts would like to pursue a head coaching position in the future at a Division I program and also possibly a career in athletic administration. She was born in the Chicago area and moved to Dallas for six years before relocating to Alpharetta, Ga., where her family currently resides. Barts has two brothers, Jason (25 and in the Marines) and Michael (21 and an Auburn student). She is the daughter of Denny and Brenda Barts.

Barts graduated from Auburn in 2007 with a bachelor's in Sociology and a minor in Sport Coaching. She is currently pursuing a master's in Sport Management from Middle Tennessee.