Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Photo by: Maya Lewis/MT Athletic Communications
Middle Tennessee Soccer Announces Six 2024 Signees
11/10/2023 1:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee Soccer has signed six new members to the program ahead of the 2024 season.
Defenders Allie Carroll and Jess Gray, Midfielders Arieona Duenez and Ryan Colton, Forward Lexi Dendis and Goalkeeper Demi Gronauer have each signed their National Letters of Intent to join the Blue Raiders.
Carroll joins the program from Olive Branch, Miss. She has played club soccer for Lady Lobos Rush Premier in Memphis, Tenn., the former club of Blue Raider greats Caroline Manley, Elizabeth Slavinsky and Cambell Kivisto. Leading her club to three Tennessee state championships under coaches Kieron Heblich and Tony McManus.
Carroll's mother, Mary, played soccer for Mississippi State, while her father Brad starred in football at Mississippi Delta Community College and Delta State University.
"Allie is a versatile defender who can play as a center back and an outside back. She has a physical presence in the back and is a dominant player in the air. Her attacking abilities will be an asset for us when she joins the attack," said head coach Aston Rhoden.
Gray will come to Murfreesboro from across the Atlantic Ocean in Oxford, England. The defender currently plays for Oxford United, competing in the FA Women's National League. Gray earned the club's Young Player of the Year award in 2022-23. At age 16, the defender made her FA Cup debut with Oxford.
"Jess is versatile and competitive defender capable of playing as a center back or outside back. She has great athleticism and is a physical presence in the back. Jess's experience at the senior level with be very beneficial for us and her versatility will make us more flexible at the back," said Rhoden.
Duenez will be staying home as she begins her college career in 2024. The Murfreesboro native and Oakland High School product is a decorated student-athlete, earning All-Region and All-State honors as well as District 8-AAA Midfield Most Valuable Player. She has also made the 8-AAA All-District first team twice. Academically, Duenez claims the Student Athlete Award of Merit as well as recognition on the A-B Honor Roll Principals List. Currently, she plays club soccer for Tennessee Soccer Club ECNL 05/06.
"Ari is a very creative player with great vision and awareness. She can unlock opposing defenses with dribble and pass penetration and is capable of scoring from various places on the field," said Rhoden.
Colton—a native of Central Square, N.Y.—comes to Murfreesboro as a midfielder. She has played club soccer for Syracuse Development Academy GA for six years, and has led the team to three New York West state championships under coaches Tommy Tanner and Micheal Kirmse. Colton has also played five years of Varsity Soccer for Paul V. Moore High School under coach Benjamin Feinberg. A member of the National Honor Society, her brother Tyler is currently playing for the men's team at University of Scranton.
"Ryan is hard working midfielder who can easily transition to a center forward role. She has a high technical proficiency, a keen tactical awareness, and can score goals from various positions," said Rhoden.
Dendis is also a northeastern product, coming from Flemington, N.J and starring for STA GA under coach Ylon Krauweel. She has also stood out on her Hunterdon Central Regional High School team. The attacker was named to the All-Skyland Conference First Team in 2021 and 2022, while also being named to the New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team both seasons.
"Lexi is creative player with incredible fitness, pace, and work rate. She can play anywhere across the front line and is a good finisher in and around the box. Her experience at playing at a high level will make us be more potent and versatile in attack," said Rhoden.
Rounding out the fall signing class is Gronauer, a goalkeeper from Las Vegas, Nev. Gronauer has played for Heat FC ECNL, leading her career long club to date to a Surf Curf Championship in 2019. Gronauer comes from an athletic pedigree. Her older brother Sagan played quarterback for Idaho State from 2019 to 2022. Her older sister Ariana plays soccer at University of the Pacific and her other older sister Serene is currently playing at Nevada.
"Demi is a very athletic goalkeeper with good hands and shot stopping skills. She plays well with her feet and organizes the back line well. Demi will be a great addition to our goalkeeper union and will make our union even more competitive," said Rhoden.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Soccer on social media on Facebook (Blue Raider Soccer), Twitter (@MT_Soccer) and Instagram (@mt_wsoccer).
Defenders Allie Carroll and Jess Gray, Midfielders Arieona Duenez and Ryan Colton, Forward Lexi Dendis and Goalkeeper Demi Gronauer have each signed their National Letters of Intent to join the Blue Raiders.
Carroll joins the program from Olive Branch, Miss. She has played club soccer for Lady Lobos Rush Premier in Memphis, Tenn., the former club of Blue Raider greats Caroline Manley, Elizabeth Slavinsky and Cambell Kivisto. Leading her club to three Tennessee state championships under coaches Kieron Heblich and Tony McManus.
Carroll's mother, Mary, played soccer for Mississippi State, while her father Brad starred in football at Mississippi Delta Community College and Delta State University.
"Allie is a versatile defender who can play as a center back and an outside back. She has a physical presence in the back and is a dominant player in the air. Her attacking abilities will be an asset for us when she joins the attack," said head coach Aston Rhoden.
Gray will come to Murfreesboro from across the Atlantic Ocean in Oxford, England. The defender currently plays for Oxford United, competing in the FA Women's National League. Gray earned the club's Young Player of the Year award in 2022-23. At age 16, the defender made her FA Cup debut with Oxford.
"Jess is versatile and competitive defender capable of playing as a center back or outside back. She has great athleticism and is a physical presence in the back. Jess's experience at the senior level with be very beneficial for us and her versatility will make us more flexible at the back," said Rhoden.
Duenez will be staying home as she begins her college career in 2024. The Murfreesboro native and Oakland High School product is a decorated student-athlete, earning All-Region and All-State honors as well as District 8-AAA Midfield Most Valuable Player. She has also made the 8-AAA All-District first team twice. Academically, Duenez claims the Student Athlete Award of Merit as well as recognition on the A-B Honor Roll Principals List. Currently, she plays club soccer for Tennessee Soccer Club ECNL 05/06.
"Ari is a very creative player with great vision and awareness. She can unlock opposing defenses with dribble and pass penetration and is capable of scoring from various places on the field," said Rhoden.
Colton—a native of Central Square, N.Y.—comes to Murfreesboro as a midfielder. She has played club soccer for Syracuse Development Academy GA for six years, and has led the team to three New York West state championships under coaches Tommy Tanner and Micheal Kirmse. Colton has also played five years of Varsity Soccer for Paul V. Moore High School under coach Benjamin Feinberg. A member of the National Honor Society, her brother Tyler is currently playing for the men's team at University of Scranton.
"Ryan is hard working midfielder who can easily transition to a center forward role. She has a high technical proficiency, a keen tactical awareness, and can score goals from various positions," said Rhoden.
Dendis is also a northeastern product, coming from Flemington, N.J and starring for STA GA under coach Ylon Krauweel. She has also stood out on her Hunterdon Central Regional High School team. The attacker was named to the All-Skyland Conference First Team in 2021 and 2022, while also being named to the New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team both seasons.
"Lexi is creative player with incredible fitness, pace, and work rate. She can play anywhere across the front line and is a good finisher in and around the box. Her experience at playing at a high level will make us be more potent and versatile in attack," said Rhoden.
Rounding out the fall signing class is Gronauer, a goalkeeper from Las Vegas, Nev. Gronauer has played for Heat FC ECNL, leading her career long club to date to a Surf Curf Championship in 2019. Gronauer comes from an athletic pedigree. Her older brother Sagan played quarterback for Idaho State from 2019 to 2022. Her older sister Ariana plays soccer at University of the Pacific and her other older sister Serene is currently playing at Nevada.
"Demi is a very athletic goalkeeper with good hands and shot stopping skills. She plays well with her feet and organizes the back line well. Demi will be a great addition to our goalkeeper union and will make our union even more competitive," said Rhoden.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Follow Middle Tennessee Soccer on social media on Facebook (Blue Raider Soccer), Twitter (@MT_Soccer) and Instagram (@mt_wsoccer).
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerMTSU Soccer vs UTEP Recap 10/19/25
Tuesday, October 21
2025 MTSU Soccer Senior Sit Down
Friday, October 17
True Blue Testimonials - Yana Yordanova MTSU Soccer Midfielder - Presented by MMC
Tuesday, September 23
MTSU Football Weekly Presser Wisconsin 9/01/25
Monday, September 01
