Emma Kowalkowski is a physical defender whose job requires her to move quickly, throwing her body around to dive and make plays.
Kowalkowski is a sophomore defensive specialist for the Western Kentucky volleyball team. She’s been the Lady Toppers’ most productive defender this season, leading the team with 150 digs.
Her father is Scott Kowalkowski, a national champion linebacker at Notre Dame who went on to a 10-year NFL career from 1991-2001.
Father and daughter made their names in different sports, but the same competitive fire has been passed on, WKU coach Travis Hudson said.
“She’s grown up knowing nothing different,” Hudson told the Daily News.