Wingate's Krauser Earns NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

INDIANAPOLIS - Wingate University 2013 graduate Grace Krauser has received a $7,500 postgraduate scholarship from the NCAA. The NCAA awards up to 174 postgraduate scholarships annually, 87 for men and 87 for women. The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are at least in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition.

The one-time grants of $7,500 each are awarded for fall sports, winter sports and spring sports. Each sports season (fall, winter and spring), there are 29 scholarships available for men and 29 scholarships available for women. The scholarships are one-time, non-renewable grants. Krauser is one of only two NCAA Division II volleyball student-athletes to earn scholarship. The other was Elizabeth Duffy of Concordia-St. Paul. The Bulldogs and Golden Bears met in the NCAA Elite Eight in 2012, which Concordia-St. Paul rallied to win 3-1 en route to its sixth consecutive national title.

"Grace has represented Wingate University in so many ways, as a student, as an athlete and as a leader," head coachShelton Collier says. "She is one of those student-athletes that has so many ideal qualities, so for her to be recognized with this prestigious scholarship honor is a tribute to her hard work and dedication during her four years at Wingate. We are proud to have another recipient of this award from our volleyball program."

Krauser earned Capital One Academic All-America® NCAA Division II first team honors during her junior and senior seasons. She also earned second team All-SAC accolades in her final two years at Wingate. During her sophomore year, Krauser became the first-ever SAC student-athlete to earn the prestigious Elite 89 Award. In 2012, she became the first-ever Division II volleyball student-athlete to earn the award twice.

During the 2013 Wingate University commencement ceremony, Krauser was honored with the C.C. Burris Award. This recognition is presented annually to the graduating senior woman who represents the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service. In addition, Krauser was honored with the Arthur Joseph "Pepper" Geddings, Jr. Award at Wingate's 2013 Athletic Banquet, the WUSPYS. The Geddings Award stands for everything that is right about college athletics: athletic ability, scholarship, leadership, citizenship and service. Krauser also earned the C.B. and Beadie Haskins Scholar-Athlete Award at the WUSPYS, going to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at Wingate.

Krauser averaged 1.87 kills per set in 2012 to earn second team All-SAC honors for the second straight year. She finished fourth in the SAC with 0.82 blocks per set and sixth with a .283 hitting percentage.

Krauser hit .474 with nine kills and four blocks against Belmont Abbey. She registered 10 kills and five blocks at USC Aiken, while piling up seven kills, five digs and five blocks at Newberry, hitting .538. Krauser hit .556 with 10 kills and seven blocks against Carson-Newman, while notching eight kills in the win at Tusculum. She had nine kills and six digs at Carson-Newman, hitting .300 on the match. Krauser hit .333 with 10 kills in the Food Lion SAC tournament title match, while hitting .700 in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional title match with seven kills and three blocks.

Krauser registered 740 kills and 232 blocks during her career. The Bulldogs compiled a 131-8 overall record during Krauser's four years, including a 68-2 mark in league play. Wingate won the SAC regular season and the SAC tournament title each of her four years. The Bulldogs advanced to the Sweet 16 all four years of her career, while winning two regional titles.

The Bulldogs were 32-3 overall during Krauser's senior season, taking a 23-match winning streak into the Elite Eight. Wingate finished the 2012 season fourth nationally in winning percentage, ranking in the top five for the sixth straight year. Wingate led the nation in winning percentage in 2007, 2010 and 2011, while ranking third in 2008 and 2009.

- Wingate media relations