Albrecht Elevated to Acting Head Volleyball Coach

Report provided by Liberty University Strategic Communications office

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Nolan Albrecht, who joined the Lady Flames volleyball coaching staff last month, has been elevated to acting head coach for the upcoming 2024 season.

“Nolan has earned the confidence and trust of our team and impressed our administration during his time at Liberty,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ian McCaw. “We are excited about the prospects of Liberty volleyball in 2024 and grateful for Nolan’s leadership of our program.”

Albrecht served as head men’s volleyball coach at his alma mater, Belmont Abbey, from 2017 through 2021. During that time, he led the Crusaders to a 51-45 overall record as an NCAA Division I program. He holds the program record for career coaching victories.

“I want to express my gratitude to Liberty University’s President Dondi Costin, Director of Athletics Ian McCaw and Senior Woman Administrator Erin Hagen for the opportunity to lead the Lady Flames volleyball program,” said Albrecht. “It was clear to me from day one on campus that Liberty University upholds excellent standards in the classroom, administration, facilities and in the local community. This is an institution that embraces the Great Commission and has a record of success in the NCAA Division I landscape.”

“Our current student-athletes and future Flames have remarkable talent and after learning more about their unique stories, I’m confident that they will move us forward as a program. I am eager to get to know the Liberty volleyball alumni and learn more from those that helped shape the program we have today.”

Belmont Abbey finished seventh in Conference Carolina standings during the season before Albrecht took the helm. He led them to their first-ever Conference Carolinas title and NCAA Tournament berth in 2021, as the Crusaders went 15-8 and defeated No. 1 seed Mount Olive in the conference championship game. They faced Penn State in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Volleyball Championship.

Albrecht also oversaw a resurgence in the team’s academic success, as Belmont Abbey earned two AVCA Academic Awards and posted an average GPA of 3.35 over that span.

“As a young athlete, and throughout my professional playing career, my mother instilled a healthy perspective towards athletics by reminding me that it’s ‘All for the honor and glory of God’ as she dropped me off at tryouts, practices and tournaments,” continued Albrecht. “That foundation of using athletics to glorify God has since become a personal goal in my playing and coaching careers. I will humbly strive to lead with that as my hallmark here at Liberty University. My vision of Liberty volleyball is simple: through service, courage, prudence and gratitude, we will be ‘Flames Ablaze’ and Champions for Christ in the gym, on campus and beyond. Let’s Go Flames!”

Additionally, Albrecht coached three major awards winners in the league play in Rob Valentine (Defensive Player of the Year in 2018), Andrew Kohut (Freshman of the Year in 2019) and Liam Maxwell (Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2020). A total of 13 players have been selected all-conference.

Maxwell and Kohut were selected to the 2020 USAV Collegiate National Team. Albrecht serves as a talent scout for the National Team Development Program and has worked as a lead tryout evaluator and coach for the A2 boys select and A2 girls select programs.

Albrecht began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach for the Belmont Abbey women's team from 2016-19. He helped the Crusaders to back-to-back Conference Carolinas Championship match appearances and a North Division title in 2018, working with 2018 and 2019 Conference Coach of the Year, Toni Elyea. Nolan also coached Sarah Kenney, Elite 23 winner and conference defensive player of the year in 2018.

His coaching resume also includes serving as an assistant coach at Carolina Union Volleyball Club in Charlotte, where his 18 Premier club team qualified for USAV 18 Open GJNC in 2020 and 2021. Following his time at Belmont Abbey, Albrecht served as Director of Youth Training at Carolina Union Volleyball Club. He was responsible for training and development for all coaches and athletes of the teams aged 12-14.

A former standout outside hitter and setter for the Abbey, Albrecht was a four-year captain and led the nation in kills (523), kills per set (5.03) and points per set (5.56) while hitting .350 during his senior season. Albrecht was named the AVCA National Player of the Week and finished third in voting for the "Karch Kiraly Award" for the nation's best Outside Hitter.

During his three seasons of active play at The Abbey, Nolan amassed two first-team All-Conference Carolinas selections, one second-team all-conference selection, and multiple Player of the Week awards. His career statistics include 1,157 kills, 594 digs, 142 total blocks, and 70 aces. After sitting out for his entire sophomore season due to injury, he was named “Conference Carolinas' Comeback Player of the Year” after returning to the top 10 in several statistical categories.

He has seen tremendous success as a professional volleyball player on the AVP. Albrecht has qualified for four AVP main draw tournaments, finishing in the top 10 three times. He has garnered the No. 1 ranking in the AVP grass volleyball standings after winning such prestigious tournaments as the Pottstown Rumble, Waupaca Boatride, AVP Nationals, Columbia Clash and Marshall Madness. His accomplishments also include TeqVoly world championships, which he won in both Santa Monica, Calif. And Esztergom, Hungary.

Albrecht graduated with honors from Belmont Abbey College with two degrees: Sports Management and Theology.