(Burbank, IL) St. Laurence High School is excited to welcome Laura Bugarin as the school’s new head boys volleyball coach.

Coach Bugarin brings a wealth of volleyball knowledge to the Vikings, with eleven years of coaching experience for 1st Alliance Volleyball Club, Illinois’ top USA Volleyball (USAV) club and a nationally ranked program. Coaching some of the country’s top athletes, Bugarin was part of five USAV top-five finishes and led the team to consecutive top 10 national rankings in her last two seasons. She also served as the recruiting coordinator for the club.

“Coach Bugarin has a track record that speaks for itself,” said St. Laurence Athletic Director Tim Chandler. “With over a decade coaching volleyball at the highest level, I am confident that she will continue the development of our current players while also making it a program that players will want to be a part of. Coming off a historic season, the program is in a great position to take the next step, and I know Coach Bugarin is the right coach for the job.”

A Garfield Ridge native, Bugarin is a parishioner at St. Daniel the Prophet Church with her husband and three sons. Prior to her coaching career, she played volleyball at Northern Illinois University and Queen of Peace High School, where she was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame with the 2003 volleyball team.

“I am incredibly honored to be joining the St. Laurence community as the head boys volleyball coach,” said Coach Bugarin. “I have been attending Viking athletic events since I was a little girl, watching my brothers contribute as multi-sport athletes while I sat in the stands and chanted along to the Viking Fight Song. I am thrilled to lead the next generation of student athletes through St. Laurence’s strong tradition of academics, community, and athletics. I would like to thank President Joe Martinez, Director of Operations Amy Lapinski, Athletic Director Tim Chandler, and the members of the leadership team for their passion and commitment to the volleyball program, as well as for the faith they have in me to continue to lead the rich history and tradition of athletic success. I am honored to be a Viking!”

Coach Bugarin inherits a team that is coming off its best season in program history, setting the school record for single season wins and advancing to the IHSA Regional Championship. She will replace Ellen Yopchick, who stepped down as head boys volleyball coach following the 2022 season. Coach Yopchick will continue to coach the girls volleyball team.

Boys volleyball players can meet Coach Bugarin at the St. Laurence Boys Volleyball Summer Camp from July 11-14. You can find additional details and registration information at www.stlaurence.com/summercamps.