Carlson comes to Louisburg after three seasons as an assistant at Radford University. While with the Highlanders, Carlson worked with the outfielders and catchers, and assisted in all other aspects of the program. Of her position players, she saw two Big South All-Conference team selections, two All-Freshmen team members, and an All-Academic team award winner. Carlson also served as the program's recruiting coordinator.

"I can't express my level of gratitude to our president Dr. La Branch, and our athletic director Coach Holloman, or express how fortunate I feel to be extended this opportunity to lead the Canes. I am dedicated to helping grow our student-athletes into young women who compete not only on the field, but in the classroom, and in life as well. I immediately felt that same passion and commitment to the growth of the whole person when I stepped on campus at Louisburg, and I am very much looking forward to being a Hurricane."   

Prior to her most recent stint at RU, Carlson gained coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels in assistant roles at Georgia Southern and Winthrop University. In 2010, the Southeastern District Coach of the Year skippered Indian River High School (Chesapeake, VA) where two members of her squad earned all-district honors.

A Radford alumna, Carlson spent four years with the Highlanders, donning the red & white uniform from 2005-07 and served as a student assistant during the 2008 campaign, while completing her undergraduate work at the University. Stepping into the role as a coach in 2008, Carlson was part of a staff that saw the Highlanders post a school-best 46-15 record, as well as setting new team marks in home runs (57), batting average (.307) and slugging percentage (.468). They also boasted seven all-conference players, the league's Freshman-of-the-Year, and earned their first national vote in program history.

Carlson played an integral part in the initial success of the Radford softball program. During her playing career, the Highlanders recorded 123 wins, enjoyed their first 40-win season (2006) and reached the Big South Championship game for the first time in 2006 and then again in 2007. As a Highlander, Carlson was a two-time Big South All-Academic team member (2006-07), a 2006 NFCA Scholar-Athlete, and a 2007 league all-tournament selection.

A native of Chesapeake, VA, Carlson earned her bachelor's degree in exercise, sport, and health education in 2008 from Radford University, and is working towards a master's in sport administration.