Meet the 4 finalists for 2021 Evelyn Gates Award, honoring KC’s top volleyball player

This year’s winner of the Evelyn Gates Award, recognizing the top high school varsity volleyball player in the Kansas City region, will be unveiled on Thursday.

Each year, a committee comprised of area high school coaches selects a recipient who embodies “top-tier skill, spirit and sportsmanship,” as noted on the WIN for KC portion of the Kansas City Sports Commission’s website.

The finalists for this year’s award are:

• Addison Beagle, Liberty North
• Ashley Mullen, Liberty
• Chloe Kaminski, Blue Springs
• Sydney Handel, Lee’s Summit West

The winner of the award is presented a traveling trophy for display at her school and a $500 stipend for her school’s athletic department.

Evelyn Gates, a retired histology technician at KU Medical Center, officiated high school and college volleyball, softball and basketball games in the metro for more 45 years. She was a staunch supporter of girls’ high school sports.

“As we look to the future and the continued success of women’s athletics, it’s important to acknowledge trailblazers, like Evelyn Gates, whose passion, commitment and support impacted tens of thousands of high school athletes,” WIN for KC director Jessica Blubaugh said in a statement. “Her enduring legacy is a testament to both her officiating career and mentorship during the Title IX movement.”

Past winners

2020: Honorable mentions, 29 of them (no winner due to COVID)

2019: Ellie Bolton, St. James Academy

2018: Ellie Bichelmeyer, St. Teresa’s Academy

2017: Annika Welty, Park Hill South

2016: Madison Lilley, Blue Valley West

2015: Orie Agbagi, Oak Park

2014: Lexi Hart, Truman

2013: Anna Kropf, St. Teresa’s Academy

2012: Cheyanne Lyons, Raymore-Peculiar

2011: Paige Brown, St. James Academy

2010: Hanna Forst, St. James Academy

2009: Marianne Beal, Lee’s Summit North

2008: Jessica Kopp, Lee’s Summit West

2007: Kathleen Ludwig, Bishop Miege

2006: Michelle Jantsch, St. Theresa’s Academy

2005: Erin Birmingham, Park Hill South

2004: Sammie Williams, Fort Osage