COACHING STAFF

Michael Sopocy  |  Men's & Women's Head Coach

Michael Sopocy enters his third year as the head coach of North Park women's volleyball program, and fourth for the men's volleyball program in 2021.

Sopocy brings a plethora of experience and variety to North Park. At the collegiate level, he assisted with Bowling Green State's women's volleyball program (2003-2004) where he worked primarily in defensive development. Continuing his coaching within Division 1 athletics, Sopocy was an Assistant Coach at Cleveland State University in 2006. Again, he worked primarily in defensive development, focusing on the liberos and defensive specialists.

Sopocy also has an established base at the high school level. In his first season as Head Volleyball Coach for Resurrection Prep, Sopocy led the girls to the State championship game. He also drove Resurrection Prep to the best record in school history (33-9), including their first-ever GCAC Conference Championship and first ever Super-Sectional win.  The 2017 Resurrection Volleyball team is now decorated as the Best Sports Team in Resurrection history.

Sopocy also works as the Girls Division Director and a Head Coach for the Energy Volleyball Club in Niles, Illinois. As the Director of the program, he oversees a staff of more than 30 coaches, monitors student-athlete progress at the 15-18u level, and organizes teams to ensure the most positive learning experience. On top of his work as the Director, Sopocy conducts weekly position training for all club athletes and organizes practice plans for his coaching staff.

No stranger to North Park, Sopocy served as an Assistant Coach with the women's volleyball team from 2012-2014. During that time, he was in charge of position training, player development, recruiting, and game planning. He also served as the strength and conditioning coach.

From 2009-2011, Sopocy led the DePaul University Men's Club Volleyball team to a top 10 finish at the USA Volleyball Collegiate Club Nationals. As the Head Coach, he guided DePaul to a University of Northern Iowa Invite Tournament championship.

Sopocy also made stops as the Head Coach for Bowling Green's women's club volleyball team (2002-2005), men's club volleyball team (2002-2004), and was an assistant varsity coach for the Glenbrook South High School volleyball team (2009-2010).

Joseth Irizarry  |  Assistant Coach

Joseth Irizarry enters his second year with the men's and women's voleyball teams and first as a full-time assistant coach in 2021.

Irizarry built coaching experience at Club Savannah Volleyball in Savannah, Georgia, working alongside other club directors to host regional tournaments.

Irizarry was a member of the Springfield College men's volleyball team in 2017 and 2018, earning back-to-back national championships with the team. He also served as a member of the Student Athlete Leadership Team as the volleyball representative. He graduated from Springfield in the fall of 2018 with a degree in sport management.

Rachel Reeve  |  Graduate Assistant Coach

Jordan Mrkvicka  |  Assistant Coach