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Emma Celentano was named the head coach at the University of Mount Olive in December 2019. With COVID-19 producing some unexpected challenges to a head coaching career, Emma finally got to complete her first season in spring 2021.

The team was projected to finish 9 out of 11 and far surpassed expectations with a 3rd place finish. It was the first time UMO had finished with a winning record and won a conference playoff game since 2013. That initial success was upheld in the fall 2021 where Emma had her first “normal” season – one with a full schedule. The team sustained what they were starting to build and had their first 15-win season since 2013. In addition, one of her players Amara Eziakonwa was recognized as a First-Team All-Conference selection by leading the league in attack percentage.

The success only continued into the 2022 season, where the team will get to see the year hang in the rafters as they claimed a share of the 2022 Regular Season Championship. Some of the highlights included:

• The first 20-win season since 2005

• Two First Team All-Conference performers – Middle Blocker Amara Eziakonwa and Libero Morgan Prots

• Finishing third in all of NCAA Division II in aces per set, averaging 2.54 and leading the entire country in total aces at 302

• The team’s 9 losses only coming to regionally ranked teams

Her career started at North Carolina Central University where she worked as the associate head volleyball coach. Her on-court responsibilities with NC Central primarily included training the defense and serve receive. Emma’s off-court responsibilities ranged from recruiting to developing the team’s conditioning program.

Emma started her coaching career in the club world back in 2013 and spent the last 5 years growing Carolina Edge. The club started off with 4 teams in its first season and steadily grew to having 11 teams this past year in 21/22. The focus on youth development and exposing all of the club’s athletes to high-level college coaching is exactly what she hopes to continue bringing to Advantage.

Emma graduated with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science in addition to Coaching Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her education is put to good use each and every day, and she couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to her career than at NC Central, starting Carolina Edge, and taking over Mount Olive. Emma completed her Master’s in Physical Education with a concentration in Athletic Administration from NCCU in December 2019.

Lastly, Emma’s favorite athlete is Roger Federer, and she has an unhealthy love for chocolate milk and Lululemon. If she was home more, she would definitely want a dog; and she could eat breakfast food for every meal of the day, every day.

Tyesha was born and raised in Oakland, California. In middle school, she started playing volleyball and immediately became enamored with the sport. Her volleyball career continued at Piney Woods School in Piney Woods, Mississippi. As a captain and setter, she guided her team to the first playoff appearance in school history. 

She continued playing in college in West Virginia. After a shoulder injury ended her career, she began coaching gymnastics. Tyesha had the privilege of coaching two consecutive State and Regional Championship teams.

Tyesha received a Pre-Law degree while in West Virginia. She made the decision to return to school at North Carolina Central University. which she obtained a degree in health and physical education. 

After earning her degree from NCCU, she began working as a teacher and high school volleyball coach at Bluestone High School in Virginia. She moved back to North Carolina in 2018 and started working as a coach and teacher at Rolesville High School. This will be Ty’s sixth year as a high school coach and her fourth year as a club volleyball coach. Tyesha used to coach club volleyball for Carolina Edge, Carolina Explosion, and Carolina Legacy before to joining Advantage. She is so excited to be a part of the Advantage Family!

Bio to come