DeKalb announces new volleyball, girls basketball coaches

Pending approval by the District 428 school board, the DeKalb athletic department announced two new coaches on Wednesday.

Nicole Lambert will take over the volleyball program while Mark Sykes returns to head the girls basketball program,.

Sykes was head coach of the team for 10 seasons, leading them to a regional crown. He stepped down after the 2004-2005 season. He's been in the district 27 years and has been assistant athletic director for the last seven. He's also coached football, boys basketball and badminton.

“Mr. Sykes brings a wealth of experience to the girls’ basketball program," athletic director Peter Goff said in a statement. "Sykes is very excited to get back on the sidelines, and get back into the gym. I am looking forward to seeing Mr. Sykes in the gym this winter.”

Lambert will be entering her fifth year as a coach for Dekalb. During this time, Lambert served as the assistant varsity volleyball and as the head freshman volleyball coach. Lambert began her volleyball career as a player at St. Charles East High School where she helped her team earn a 3rd place IHSA State finish. She continued her college volleyball career at Radford University before transferring to Valparaiso University.

“We are very excited that Nicole is our new head volleyball coach here at DHS," Goff said. "She brings a ton of experience and keeps familiarity in the program and that’s what our players need to be successful in our highly competitive DVC Conference. “