Nolan Albrecht (pronounced ALL-bright) is in his fourth year as Belmont Abbey men's volleyball coach after being named to the position on April 25, 2017. During his tenure, the Crusaders have progressively improved on the court and in the classroom after inheriting a team that finished in sixth place in 2017.
That culminated this year with the first-ever Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship and NCAA (Division I-II) Tournament bid. He currently holds a 51-44 (.537) record following the tournament success.
Over the last four years, The Abbey has moved incrementally from fourth to second in the league standings and earned two AVCA Academic Awards. The average grade-point average during that span is 3.35.
Additionally, Albrecht has 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.
A former player at Belmont Abbey, Albrecht began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach for the 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.
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.
Albrecht graduated with honors from Belmont Abbey College with two degrees: Sports Management and Theology. During his time at the Abbey, he performed in three musical productions with the Abbey Players including a lead role as “John the Baptist/Judas” in Godspell and a supporting role as “Reuben” in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. An active participant with the Abbey Volunteers, Albrecht was a two-time recipient of the Father "Pop" Martin Award, which is presented to the overall student-athlete who demonstrates the true spirit and heart of Belmont Abbey College.
Before the Abbey, Nolan played club volleyball and coached for Sports Performance Volleyball Club in Aurora, Ill., where he was named a USA Volleyball All-American during his senior year, and helped lead his team to a fourth-place finish at the USAV BJNC in the 18 Open division. In addition, he was a recipient of Sports Faith International’s “Hometown Hero Award” for exemplary virtue and athletic accomplishments.
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.
Nolan has six siblings and eight nieces and nephews. One of his sisters, Annika, was a two-time national champion as an outside hitter at Nebraska.
Updated 4/23/2021
