Krause on NAIA’s First Team, Figy Collects Second-Team Honor

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen men’s volleyball team had two representatives as the NAIA announced its 2024 All-America teams Thursday.

Landon Krause (Sr., Appleton, Wis., Business Management) was one of nine individuals named to the First Team, while Charlie Figy (Sr., Appleton, Wis., Secondary Education PE K-12) was picked for the nine-person Second Team. Nine additional players garnered Third-Team recognition.

Krause wraps up his career as a six-time All-American, garnering three from the NAIA (twice on the First Team). Figy ends his time as a Statesmen with four All-America awards with this being his first from the NAIA.

The Statesmen, who reached the NAIA National Championship Semifinals, were 24-7 overall (14-4 Heart) and shared their first-ever Heart of America Athletic Conference regular season title.

Krause finished with a team-high 418 kills (3.48 per set) on a .314 attack clip. He led the team in aces with 42, produced 216 digs (1.80 per set), and tallied 106 blocks (eight solos, 98 assists, 0.88 per set).

The senior recorded 25 double-digit kill performances and posted eight double-doubles (kills and digs). He had his best outing of 23 kills and 15 digs against Kansas Wesleyan on March 14.

Figy tallied 223 kills (1.86 per set) this year on a team-best .474 hitting mark. He also had 19 aces, 44 digs, and 115 total blocks (10 solos, 105 assists, 0.96 per set).

He eclipsed double-figure kills on six occasions this spring and tallied at least five blocks in 10 separate matches with a high of eight twice.

Patrick Paragas of The Master’s (Calif.) was named NAIA Player of the Year, while his coach Jared Goldberg won the NAIA Coach of the Year laurel.