Joliet Catholic Academy announced today the hiring of Emily (Soto ’04) Brown as their new Head Girls Volleyball Coach, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record to the team.

“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,” said Jim O’Brien, Joliet Catholic Academy’s Athletic Director. “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 a Special Education Teacher at Minooka Community High School and was previously an Athletic Director, during which she was named the 2024 New Athletic Director of the Year in Illinois.

“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,” said Brown.

Emily Brown’s Experience & Education:

2003 – State Champion JCA Girls’ Volleyball Team 

2004 – JCA Graduate

2004-05 – Joliet Junior College Volleyball Team, 2006 NCJAA Region 4 MVP

2006-2008 – Saint Xavier Chicago Volleyball Team, 2008 Coaches’ Assistant 

2008 – SXU Graduate, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

2011 – Lewis University, Master of Arts in Special Education

2012-Present – Special Education Teacher

2012-2022 – Assistant Varsity Girls Volleyball Coach (2016, 2017 IHSA 4A Runner-Up)

2015-2019 – Assistant Boys Volleyball Coach (2018-2019 Assistant Varsity, 2019 IHSA 4A State Quarterfinals)

2020 – Concordia University Chicago, Master of Arts Illinois Principal Preparation (Administration)

2021 – College of DuPage, Physical Education Endorsement

2023-24 – SPC Athletic Director, 2024 New Athletic Director of the Year, Illinois