Cleveland Community College announces volleyball coaching transition

Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College

Coaches Wilson, left, and Buyers. | Courtesy photo

Cleveland Community College — CCC has announced that Head Volleyball Coach Jamie Wilson is stepping down from her position with the Yetis to accept a new opportunity as Assistant Coach at Presbyterian College, an NCAA Division I program competing in the Big South Conference. Assistant Coach Aaliyah Byers will serve as Interim Head Coach as the Yetis prepare for the upcoming 2026 season.

Wilson was hired in 2022 to launch the Yetis first-ever volleyball program. In just three seasons, the program earned 60 wins and quickly emerged as a respected competitor within Region 10 and the NJCAA.

Under Wilson’s leadership, the Yetis demonstrated both athletic and academic excellence. A

total of 28 student-athletes were named to the All-Academic Team during her tenure,

reflecting the program’s commitment to success beyond competition.

The 2024–25 season marked a significant step forward for the program, highlighted by

multiple wins over nationally ranked opponents, including victories over No. 9 Caldwell

Community College and No. 11 Sandhills Community College. The Yetis earned four wins over nationally ranked teams during the season and advanced to the Region 10 Division II

Championship match, finishing as runner-up after a dramatic five-set comeback victory

over Cape Fear Community College in the semifinals.

The Yetis continued their postseason push by advancing to the District Tournament, where

they took nationally ranked Walters State Community College to five sets, narrowly missing a

berth in the NJCAA National Tournament.

The program maintained its upward trajectory in the 2025–26 season, including a win over

No. 8 nationally ranked Caldwell Community College, while also setting new program records.

“Coach Wilson’s leadership, passion, and commitment to student-athletes have created a

strong foundation that will continue to benefit this program for years to come,” said Athletic

Director Andy Gardner. “We are grateful for the impact she has made on our institution and

wish her the very best in her next chapter.”

Wilson expressed gratitude for her time at Cleveland Community College and pride in the

student-athletes who helped shape the program’s early success.

(Wilson's gratitude continued below...)

“It has been an incredible opportunity to develop this program and work with such dedicated

student-athletes,” said Wilson. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and

confident that the program will continue to grow and succeed.”

Byers, who has served as an assistant coach with the Yetis over the past year, will now step

into the role of Interim Head Coach during the offseason, providing continuity and leadership

as the program prepares for the 2026 fall season.

A 2022 graduate of Kings Mountain High School, Byers was a two-time Player of the Year and surpassed 1,000 career kills during her prep career. She went on to compete at the NCAA Division I level at Wright State University, where she earned All-Freshman Team honors and helped lead her team to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. Byers later transferred to The Citadel to continue her academic and athletic career before a neck injury led to her medical retirement.

Despite that setback, Byers has remained committed to the sport and has made an

immediate impact in her first season on the Yetis coaching staff.

“Our priority is to support our student-athletes and maintain the momentum of this program,”

Gardner added. “With Aaliyah’s leadership and familiarity with our team, we are confident in

a smooth transition and excited about the future of Yetis volleyball.”

With a strong foundation in place and time to prepare during the offseason, the Yetis look

ahead with enthusiasm and confidence as they begin a new chapter and set their sights on

the 2026 season.

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This is a press release from Cleveland Community College.

The Shelby Independent.