Emily Brown named head coach for Joliet Catholic girls' volleyball

Joliet Catholic Academy has appointed Emily (Soto ’04) Brown as the new Head Girls Volleyball Coach. The announcement was made today, highlighting Brown's extensive experience and successful history in volleyball.

Jim O’Brien, the Athletic Director at Joliet Catholic Academy, expressed enthusiasm about Brown's return: “We are excited to welcome Emily Brown, who was part of our 2003 State Champion girls’ volleyball team and is a 2004 graduate, back to the JCA family. We are confident she will inspire all of her athletes to reach their full potential on and off the court. Emily has a proven ability to develop strong teams, leadership skills, and foster a competitive yet supporting environment. We are excited for the future of our girls’ volleyball program. We look forward to the success ahead.”

Brown is currently working as a Special Education Teacher at Minooka Community High School and previously served as an Athletic Director. She was recognized as the 2024 New Athletic Director of the Year in Illinois.

In response to her appointment, Brown stated: “I am profoundly honored to return to Joliet Catholic Academy, a place that shaped me both as an athlete and as a person, to lead the volleyball program that has been a cornerstone of excellence for the past 20 years. This program gave me the opportunity to be surrounded by inspiring human beings, and now, I have the privilege of continuing that legacy as Head Coach. A heartfelt thank you to JCA’s Athletic Director—a top-tier member of the IHSA—for believing in me and allowing me to come full circle in a role that means so much. I am excited to work with a gifted group of athletes who not only present dynamism and assertion on the court but also aim to be scholars in the classroom and contributing members of our community. I look forward to being back in a place I once called home.”

Brown's background includes being part of Joliet Catholic Academy's 2003 State Champion Girls’ Volleyball Team and graduating from JCA in 2004. Her educational achievements include degrees from Saint Xavier Chicago and Lewis University.