WAVERLY, Iowa— The Wartburg volleyball team opens the 2024 season against Concordia Texas at Benedictine's Invite on Friday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.

Last Season
Wartburg went 11-19 overall and 3-5 in American Rivers Conference matches. Allison Feigenbaum was named All-Conference and Caroline Kluesner was named Honorable Mention All-Conference.
Feigenbaum later earned AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region honors.

Season Outlook
New rules this year include double contact with the ball is allowed (when the ball remains on the same side, not when it goes over the net) and teams can use two liberos.
 
"We're still trying to figure out if we'll use the two liberos," said co-head coach Jennifer Walker at the annual Fall Sports Media Day. "In my opinion, I'd have my top libero, top defensive specialist, and then third-best passer would be the second libero, because there's such a difference between those two positions with the angles being different and where the ball is coming from."


 
Strong leadership returns for the Knights in senior Allison Feigenbaum and fifth-year Emerson Kracht.
 
Feigenbaum currently ranks seventh in career solo blocks (116). "She learned from the team that was No. 5 in the country in her freshman season in 2021," said Walker. "Now she's a fourth-year player and a two-year captain. She's great about helping others learn what they should be doing."
 
Kracht was second in kills, second in assists, and was third in digs last season. "Emerson never leaves the court as she plays all the way around," said Walker. "She does great with her nutrition, and I think that's how she's able to stay out there and not wear out. She'll set across the back and hit when she's in the front row. Fifth year's get it, they know this is their last year, but they bring an extra season of experience to the court."
 
While a good portion of the roster are underclassmen, due to the array of injuries last season, many of those individuals saw playing time and got experience earlier in their college careers. "Peyton Robinson and Lexi Noelck were able to help us in areas they didn't expect to play due to where we needed help due to injuries," said Walker.