Kahlig earns high honor

Emily Kahlig soon will be graduating from Wittenberg University and begin her postgraduate work to become a physician's assistant.

The Coldwater graduate will receive some help in paying for her studies after receiving the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

Kahlig, a four-year letterwinner for the Wittenberg volleyball team, was one of just 174 student-athletes among all three divisions of the NCAA to receive the one-time renewable $7,500 grant.

"I was totally and completely shocked," said Kahlig, who begins her postgraduate study at Kettering College in May, "It was a shot in the dark. I played for four years, so I qualified for the scholarship (maintaining at least a 3.2 grade point average and performing "with distinction" in intercollegiate competition), but with so many amazing athletes, I had no idea that I would be the one to get it. When they told me, I was in awe. My jaw dropped. I told my family and friends and they were proud, but I was not anticipating this award."

"It's a great honor. (It's) kind of the culmination of all I hoped to achieve at Wittenberg shown through one scholarship."

The process from applying to receiving the scholarship was a lengthy one for Kahlig, beginning last November with the deadline in January.

"I had to write an essay outlining what I thought about my time at Wittenberg and what athletics have done for me (at Wittenberg)," Kahlig said. "I had to submit all my credentials - every award I won academically and athletically - and had to have three references: one academic, one athletic and one in-between. I had three of the faculty at Wittenberg vouching for me: my head coach (Paco Labrador), another was my advisor and the other was a professor I was close to."

Kahlig helped the Tigers to a 105-22 record in her four years in the program. Wittenberg is one of the powerhouse teams in NCAA Division III, advancing to the second round of the Division III tournament.

Kahlig, who earned All-America honors in 2014, finished her volleyball career with 610 kills and 296 blocks.

In the classroom, Kahlig has been a regular on the Dean's List, maintaining a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

In addition to the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, Kahlig also received the John Stauffer Scholarship from Wittenberg, which recognizes merit and outstanding scholarship and potential in the health sciences field.

"It takes the weight off my shoulders and helps me know that all of the hard work I put in as an undergrad is paying off," Kahlig said. "It's nice to know."