North Park University Women's Volleyball

Welch joined the North Park Volleyball programs in the summer of 2023, assisting both the Men's and Women's Team. She became the head coach of NPU Men's Volleyball in the spring of 2024. Welch carried out a fantastic collegiate career at Division I Oakland University from 2019-2021, earning Horizon League Freshman of the Year accolades en route to securing a nomination for the 2019 Women's Newcomer of the Year. She was also the "Player of the Game" on nineteen separate occasions. The outside hitter from Chicago Ill. totaled 582 kills (2.20 per set), 22 service aces, 65 blocks, and 376 digs in her three seasons with the Grizzlies. Coaching Career, Season-by-Season Season Record (CCIW) CCIW Finish Postseason Finish  2025 10-17 (2-8) 6th DNQ 2026 1-24 (0-10) 6th DNQ Career 11-41 (2-18)

Coach Michael Sopocy completed his seventh season as the head coach of the North Park women's volleyball program in 2025. Sopocy has led Viking Volleyball to new heights in only a few seasons at the helm, securing the program's first CCIW title in 2023. The Vikings set new highs in '23 with a national ranking of 13th en route to double-champ status with a CCIW regular season title and tournament championship. He earned his second CCIW Coach of the Year honors in a row after his undefeated 2023 CCIW season. In the fall of 2022, Sopocy coached the NPU women's volleyball team to a plethora of "first evers". The Vikings finished second in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) standings, won the CCIW Tournament championship, and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Additionally, NPU WVB received votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25. All of these feats led to Sopocy being named the 2022 CCIW Coach of the Year. Sopocy recruited and developed the program's first All-American, Adriana Rodriguez, who was named an AVCA First Team All-American after the 2022 season. Rodriguez was also the AVCA Region VIII Player of the Year. Prior to North Park, Sopocy assisted with Bowling Green State's women's volleyball program (2003-2004) where he worked primarily in defensive development. Continuing his coaching within Division I 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. 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.   NPU Women's Volleyball Coaching Career (2019-) Season Record (CCIW) CCIW Finish Postseason Finish / Awards 2019 12-17 (2-6) 8th DNQ 2020* 2-5 (2-4) N/A N/A 2021 20-11 (3-5) 6th 2nd Round CCIW Tourney 2022 23-9 (5-3) 2nd CCIW Tourney Champs, R1 NCAA Tourney / CCIW C.O.Y 2023 25-7 (8-0) 1st First-ever program title, CCIW Tourney Champs, R1 NCAA Tourney / CCIW C.O.Y 2024 13-16 (4-4) 5th 1st Round CCIW Tourney 2025 18-13 (2-6) 9th DNQ / 100th win (Sept. 5) Career 113-78 (26-28) NPU Men's Volleyball Coaching Career (2019-2024) Season Record (CCIW) CCIW Finish Postseason Finish 2019 5-21 N/A DNQ 2020* 5-12 (3-4) N/A N/A 2021 8-10 (4-8) 5th First Round CCIW Tourney 2022 15-13 (6-6) 4th First Round CCIW Tourney 2023 12-16 (2-8) 4th First Round CCIW Tourney 2024 8-20 (1-9) 6th DNQ Career 53-92 (16-35) *COVID season