SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—Wittenberg senior women's volleyball player, Emily Kahlig, was named a recipient of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for the 2016-17 school year, one of the most prestigious awards a college student-athlete can achieve.
A record-setting volleyball player for the Tigers over the last four campaigns, Kahlig will receive a one-time renewable $7,500 scholarship that she can apply to graduate studies starting in August of 2017.
Kahlig is one of 174 student-athletes that earned an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship during the 2016-17 school year.
"This honor is like the culmination of what I had hoped to achieve at my time at Wittenberg. This shows that the hard work, sweat, and tears and countless hours put in to my schoolwork and on the court paid off. It helped me get one step closer to achieving my dream of being a physician assistant," said Kahlig.
An All-American selection in 2014, Kahlig ended her career donning the red and white with 610 kills and 296 blocks, while guiding the Tigers to a 105-22 mark overall.
"I couldn't be more proud of Emily. She epitomizes the Division III philosophy. Her ability to strike the perfect balance of academic, athletic, and campus engagement is remarkable. I can't think of a worthier recipient of this award," said head coach Paco Labrador.
Kahlig becomes the second female student-athlete and the sixth Tiger overall to earn one of the 174 annual scholarships awarded each year by the NCAA. She joins Scott Schwartz (men's basketball) in 1996, Kent Rafey (football) in 1998, Dawn Reinhardt (women's volleyball) in 1999, and Skip Ivery (football/track and field) in 2004, and Corey Stump (Football) 2016.
"Something that was crucial for me at my time at Wittenberg was asking for help when I realized I couldn't do it on my own, whether that was from my teammates, coaching staff, or professors. If it was not for these individuals, these accolades that I obtained would not be possible. Humbling myself to realize that I could not do it all on my own was one of my biggest takeaways from my time at Wittenberg," said Kahlig.
The Coldwater, Ohio native also reflected on the rich tradition of volleyball at Wittenberg, and the guidance of her coaches and mentors playing a large factor into being able to achieve her dreams in Springfield.
"I would like to thank each and every one of my teammates from my time of starting at Wittenberg to its completion, thank you for the memories and the friendship. I would like to thank my head coach, Paco Labrador, for teaching me not only everything I needed to know about volleyball, but for pushing me to do more and be more as an athlete. He taught me some very important life lessons about perseverance, drive and grit,"said Kahlig.
"I would like to thank the three assistant coaches I have had, Amy Cox, Hallie Donathan, and Evelyn Carus and all of the wonderful faculty at Wittenberg who have helped me on my way. I would especially like to thank my family and friends, from the countless miles they traveled to see me play the sport I love, and the countless meals and their unwavering support and love."
The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship was created in 1964 to promote and encourage postgraduate education by rewarding the NCAA's most accomplished student-athletes. Nominees must maintain at least a 3.2 grade point average and perform with "distinction" in intercollegiate competition. The student-athlete must also intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree as a part-time or full-time graduate student.