caption: Pictured here (front row left to right): Coach Charity Shenkel, Samantha Ludwig, Paula Ludwig, Ed Ludwig (Back row left to right): Jean Ludwig, Gerald Ludwig
By: Paige Straley
Friday, October 13, 2017, Samantha Ludwig signed to play volleyball at Manchester University. The students at Harlan Christian School watched and supported her as she made it official. Samantha’s parents Ed and Paula Ludwig of Harlan were at Harlan Christian School to witness and support their daughter as she made the decision final. Her grandparents, Jean and Gerald Ludwig, were at the school as well.
During a time of questions at the event, the students asked who inspired her to play volleyball in college. Samantha gave credit to her parents because they always have encouraged her to work hard. Samantha also mentioned her coach here at Harlan Christian, Charity Shenkel, who encouraged her to give the sport a try and has also encouraged her to work hard on the court and in the classroom. Samantha also gives credit to her coaches and fellow teammates she has had the privilege to play with at Empowered Sports Club. This coming season will be her third season at Empowered.
Samantha first started playing volleyball in 2012, when the program was first started at Harlan Christian School. She soon wanted to improve her skills and worked very hard to do so. Samantha has been a team captain for two seasons at HCS and has won the Most Improved Player two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015. During the 2016 season, Samantha was named the Most Valuable Player. This season Samantha has also amassed several individual awards. She was selected for the all-tourney team at the Grand Lake Invitational Tournament and the Emmanuel Christian tournament. On October 7th, Harlan Christian School hosted the “Dig-it” tournament where Samantha also made the all-tourney team and was named the tournament MVP.
She finished her high school career of volleyball at Harlan Christian School October 20, which also was senior night. Samantha will miss playing at Harlan Christian School, but she is excited, and is looking forward to playing for Manchester University. While Samantha is attending and playing volleyball at Manchester, she is planning on studying Exercise Science and Business.
