World TeamTennis Release

WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes University women's tennis player Melanie Nolt (Manheim, Manheim Central) has received a scholarship from the Novo Nordisk Donnelly Awards, given annually to young competitive tennis players who have diabetes.

Nolt, who was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at 16, recently finished her freshman season playing No. 1 singles and doubles for the Lady Colonels. Accumulating a 15-4 overall record in singles play, the Freedom Conference's Most Valuable Player helped lead Wilkes to a No. 12 national ranking and a berth in the NCAA Division III Championships, where she made school history by securing the first victory at the national event.

“It was very thrilling when I heard I was receiving the award,” said Nolt. “It was definitely a speechless moment.” 

Nolt received her scholarship on July 14 at a ceremony during the World TeamTennis match at Sportime Stadium in Randall's Island in New York. Tennis great Billie Jean King was on hand with sisters Diane Donnelly Stone and Tracey Donnelly Waltby, the scholarship's namesakes, to present the award to Nolt and another recipient.

“I was able to talk to her for about 20 minutes before the ceremony,” said Nolt of King. “It was breathtaking to meet her and the Donnelly's.”

"I am extremely proud and excited that Melanie received this prestigious award," said Chris Leicht, Nolt's coach at Wilkes. "She really embodies all that this award stands for." 

The Donnelly Awards, established by King in 1998 to encourage diabetic children to lead an active life and play tennis, are sponsored by Novo Nordisk, the leading pharmaceutical company in diabetes care. The award provides college scholarships to young tennis players living with diabetes and are named after the Donnelly sisters, two long-time World TeamTennis executives and former tennis champions.