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coach Erik Eastman
Varsity Head Coach
 

Coach Eastman comes to Saint Ignatius with over twenty years of playing and coaching experience in the Chicago area and will head the Wolfpack volleyball program for his sixth year. Eastman graduated and played Division 1 volleyball for Quincy University were he served as captain for two of those years. Eastman was one of the founding members of the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association and held numerous QU records until the inception of speed score. Eastman went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and worked on the floor of the Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE) for ten years. Eastman coached for Celtic Force Volleyball Club in Palos Heights, IL for 9 years where he crossed the 600 win mark in 2006. Eastman was also the Head Boys volleyball coach at Marist High School for two seasons and was the Assistant Varsity girls coach in their inaugural season. Currently Coach Eastman lives on the southside with his wife Donna, son Michael and daughter Sydney.

coach Patty (Murphy) Ryan
Assistant Varsity Coach

Coach Ryan comes back to Saint Ignatius for her twelfth season. She has over 23 years of playing and coaching experience in the Chicago area. After playing four years at Saint Ignatius and leading the Wolfpack to their first ever IHSA Sectional title in 1994, Ryan continued playing at the collegiate level at Loyola University Chicago where she was selected as Player of the Year for the MCC Conference and Athlete of the Year for Loyola University Chicago in 1999. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education Ryan began working for the Chicago Public School system. Ryan has coached for Celtic Force Volleyball Club in Palos Heights, IL for 13 years where she coached two teams that finished fifth in the nation and one team the won the USA Junior Volleyball National Championship in 2004. Recently Coach Ryan was inducted into the Girls Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame. Ryan earned a Master’s Degree in School Counseling and is working as a school counselor on the southside of Chicago where she resides with her husband Mike, daughters Abigail and Kelly.

coach Mark Johnston
Junior Varsity Head Coach

Coach Johnston comes back to Saint Ignatius for his sixth season with the Wolfpack. Johnston went to Eisenhower High School in Blue Island where he played all four years and also played for 2nd City volleyball club. He graduated from Lakeland College, in Wisconsin, in 2005 with a Bachelors Degree in Management and Finance in the Field of Sports. While attending Lakeland he played four years for the Division 1 club program and finished 3rd in the nation his senior year. Coach Johnston is also the Head Coach for the Wolfpack boys program where he led them to three straight IHSA Regional titles and two trips to the Sweet 16. Mark currently resides on the Southside of Chicago in Blue Island.

coach Erin Nolan
Assistant JV Coach

This is Coach Nolan’s third year coaching and teaching mathematics at Saint Ignatius. Nolan went to Immaculate Conception High School, in Elmhurst, where she played all four years. She graduated from Marquette University, in 2005, with a BS in Mathematics. While attending Marquette, she played on the club team for two years. Coach Nolan previously taught math and coached freshmen boys’ and girls’ volleyball at J. Sterling Morton, in Cicero, for three years. She and her husband Senan currently reside in Villa Park, IL.

coach Eileen Carls
Freshmen Head Coach

Coach Carls' begins her 2nd season at Saint Ignatius and has 15 years of playing and coaching experience. Carls played for Andrew High School and Celtic Force volleyball club for 4 years on the southside. Carls received a full ride Saint Xavier University where she graduated with a BA in Elementary Education. As a SXU Cougar Carls received Rookie of the Year honors and was named All-Tournament twice as a freshman. Carls was named team captain for two years and received the Most Pivotal Player award her senior season along with All-Tournament honors twice in 2007. Eileen coached for Celtic Force 12's for 2 years and has participated in coaching many volleyball clinics and camps with the Elite Volleyball Program. Carls is a Personal Trainer and Director of Aerobics for Wicker Park Fitness and Southport Fitness in Chicago. Carls has a certification in American Council of Exercise. Currently, Coach Carls resides in Wicker Park.

coach Dana Van Syckle
Freshmen Head Coach

Coach Van Syckle returns to the Wolfpack in her second season as a Freshman Coach. Van Syckle went to Shepard High School on the southside where she played ball for four years and was a three year varsity letter winner. She also was a three-time South Suburban Blue All-Conference honoree, two-time all-area team recipient, two-time Daily Southtown Player of the Year, and a 2007 all-state selection. She also played for Celtic Force Volleyball Club where she helped her team win the 15 Open National Title in 2004and make four straight National appearances. She also made the National All Tournament Team in 2004, 2005, and 2006. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in December of 2011 with a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. While at UIC, she played three years for the Division 1 program. Coach Van Syckle currently coaches for Celtic Force Volleyball Club, and currently lives in the South suburb of Palos Heights.