CAMP STAFF
Head Coach, American University Women's Volleyball
Camp Director, American Volleyball Camps
Director, Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic
In 2022, Coach Goldberg completed his 34th season at American University and celebrated 800 career wins, making him the fifth winningest active Division I coach in the country. He has led the Eagles to 20 Patriot League Championships in 21 seasons and 18 NCAA Tournament appearances in 24 years.
In 2013, the American University women’s volleyball team had its Cinderella season to this point, capturing the hearts of volleyball enthusiasts all over the country. After defeating Colgate 3-0 in the Patriot League Championships, Goldberg led his team to a historic first round NCAA win (3-0) over Georgia at Duke University. All eyes were on the Eagles in round two of the NCAA tournament as the American Eagles downed ACC Champion, Duke, with another 3-0 win. For the first time in program history, AU volleyball traveled to Lincoln, NE to take on defending NCAA Champions, Texas, in the Sweet 16. The Eagles kept the dream alive winning the first set but eventually fell to the Longhorns in four sets. Their efforts earned them a 19th place ranking in the final 2013 coaches’ poll.
In 2019, the NCAA listed the 'All Time Greatest Upsets in Volleyball History,' and American University Volleyball was mentioned twice in the posting. At #6 was the first and second round wins for AU at Duke in 2013, and at #3 was the 3-0 sweep of Kentucky at Ohio State in 2015.
• PATRIOT LEAGUE COACH OF THE YEAR
2016, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2007, and 2001
• PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
Goldberg lives in Maryland with his wife, Bonnie, and they together direct the annual Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic at the Washington Convention Center on Presidents' Day weekend. Their daughter, Arielle, 31, played Division I volleyball at the University of Pacific and currently is the assistant director for Bay-to-Bay boys volleyball club in San Jose, CA. Their son, Jared, 27, played men's Division I volleyball at Grand Canyon University and is currently the Men's volleyball coach at The Master's University in Santa Clarita, CA. Their youngest son, Mitchell, 24, was a Division I lacrosse player at the University of Richmond, where he finished his lacrosse career as the all-time leading goal scorer in program history in 2018.
Assistant Coach, American University Women's Volleyball
Sarah Katz Yiljep begins her seventh season as an assistant coach at American University. Prior to coaching, Yiljep was an outside hitter at American during the 2012- 2015 seasons. During her time with the Eagles, the team won three Patriot League Championships and won three NCAA tournament games, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2013 and beating #22 Kentucky in the first round during the 2015 season. The team finished with a 109-27 record at the end of her four seasons with the team, going undefeated in conference play during her senior season.
Yiljep also coached with Metro Volleyball Club from 2016-2021, where she has served as both an assistant and head coach for the 14-17 age groups. Yiljep also helped coach for Kentucky Indiana Volleyball Academy (KIVA), in Louisville, Kentucky during 2012 and 2013.
Yiljep graduated American in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and then in 2017, continued studying at American to receive her master’s degree in Health Promotion Management. She is a native of Louisville, KY and currently resides in DC with her husband, Yilret Yiljep, and her dog, Yoda.
Assistant Coach, American University Women's Volleyball
Eric Johnson joined the American University volleyball staff as assistant coach for the Eagles in August, 2021. Johnson came to AU after four years with the George Mason University men's volleyball team.
Johnson, an accomplished athlete in his playing days, has been coaching at various levels for a number of years. In his last season at George Mason, the Patriots' men's team finished the year ranked 12th in the country. In 2018, they went 13-1 in conference play to win the EIVA regular season championship. Johnson helped coach multiple AVCA All-Americans in his time at Mason.
In addition to his responsibilities at GMU, Johnson has coached juniors club teams in the DC area during his time in the DMV.
Johnson, a native of Tustin, Calif., spent 10 years as a player and coach with Balboa Bay Volleyball Club, winning the 15 Open USAV National Championship in 2009. Overall, he won four medals at Open USAV Nationals as a player and coach.
Playing for Division III Springfield College, Johnson won NCAA National Championships in both 2013 and 2014 while playing in the finals all four years. He played under USAV All-Time Great Coach Award winner Charlie Sullivan at Springfield, where he graduated from in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in sports management. During his time there, Johnson also represented Team USA at the 2013 World University Games in Kazan, Russia.