Tilbe Yaglioglu is the newest addition to the women’s volleyball team, having been named the Graduate Assistant under first-year Head Coach Casey Steinbrecher. Yaglioglu is originally from Hamm, Germany and will be enrolled in the Organizational Leadership Master’s Program at EMU. 

Yaglioglu spent her first year of undergraduate at Eastern Washington University. However, following her first year, Yaglioglu made the decision to transfer to James Madison University (JMU). After transferring, Yaglioglu received her bachelor’s degree from JMU in Communications Studies with a minor in Creative Writing. Though she spent her rookie season at Eastern Washington, JMU quickly became her home away from home for the next three years. 

“My time at JMU was absolutely fantastic,” Yaglioglu said. “That was probably one of the best decisions in my life. The friendly city, the family environment on campus, and the team culture were more than I could have ever imagined.”

During her volleyball career at JMU, Yaglioglu was a part of two Colonial Athletic Association conference championship titles. The second title was special for Yaglioglu, as JMU defended their title at home. She also competed back-to-back in the NCAA National Tournament.

“It was amazing to win our second conference ring [back-to-back] in our own gym, with our crowd, and our colors,” Yaglioglu said.  

Yaglioglu graduated in May 2020 and spent her last spring semester in Boston doing an internship at Rugged Races. She worked in Event Operations and was excited to travel to events and work directly on sight. However, because of COVID-19 her internship ended early. 

Head Coach Casey Steinbrecher was Yaglioglu’s assistant coach at JMU for three years, and offered Yaglioglu the position at the end of her internship. 

“Knowing him and the culture he is bringing into EMU excites me tremendously, as I have won championships with my team embodying this culture myself,” Yaglioglu said. “I am super excited to meet a new division in the NCAA and simply be in the gym and involved in the game I love the most.”

There is a different sense of energy on the court than it looks from the outside as a coach. As a former player, Yaglioglu is aware of the energy that players experience throughout their season which will help her to help her transition from a player to a coach.

“Understanding how players feel at certain points and stages of the game and especially being able to relate because of previous experiences may give me the chance to guide and coach the girls in the right moment,” Yaglioglu said. With a new coaching staff, the women’s volleyball team looks to start out this season with a fresh dynamic and renewed enthusiasm.