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.
Ilani Myers graduated from East Central University with a bachelors degree in Psychology. After graduating and earning the All GAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete Award, Ilani transferred to Shaw University to begin a masters degree and finish her volleyball career under JP. Prior, she attended Colby Community college where she gained experience playing a number of positions. Her experience has developed her volleyball intelligence and increased her love for the game.
When she is not on the court Ilani is finding new ways to compete with her brothers, spending time with her mom, or adventuring her hometown with friends.
During the season Ilani’s primary goal is to develop young athletes on and off of the volleyball court. She hopes to build relationships with players and encourage them to play towards their own individual strengths. She believes attitude and effort lead players to being successful and strives to embody that as an athlete and coach. Ilani is very excited to join Emma and JP for her first year with the club!
Paige is a current student in her fourth year at NC State University. She has played volleyball for over 9 years as a middle blocker. Prior to attending NC State, she played her freshman year of college at William Peace University. When covid hit, Paige transferred to Wake Tech Community College and played volleyball there before finally transferring to NC State where she plays intramurals.
Paige is currently studying Design at NC State and is set to graduate in December of 2023. Her goal is to be a graphic designer and eventually go back to school to get a degree in animation.
Growing up in Holly Springs, North Carolina, Paige attended Southern Wake Academy and played all four years of high school on the varsity team. In her senior year they won the State Championship, and the volleyball team was the first athletic team at the school to win a State Champion title.