BV North’s Logan Parks wins Evelyn Gates Award as KC’s top volleyball player
Blue Valley North High School senior Logan Parks is the 2024 recipient of the Evelyn Gates Award, given annually to the top high school volleyball player in the Kansas City area.
A finalist for this award in 2023, Parks is next headed to Stanford on a volleyball scholarship, where she’ll compete at the NCAA Division I level.
“Logan is one of a kind,” Blue Valley North coach Matt Allin said of his setter/hitter. “She leads by example with her hard work, dedication and love of the sport and her teammates. “
The announcement that Parks won the 19th annual Evelyn Gates Award was made Wednesday at Blue Valley North. She was presented a traveling trophy for display at the school and a $500 stipend for BV North’s athletic department.
Parks is one of 24 players on the AVCA All-America watch list for National Player of the Year and was selected as an Under Armour Next All-American.
The reigning Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year, she’s a four-time all-state selection and was a finalist for the Evelyn Gates Award in 2023.
“Physically, she is one of the best volleyball players to ever play in the KC area,” Allin said of Parks. “Her setting accuracy and hitting power is second to none. Her teammates and coaches rely on her to hold the team together and provide a strong foundation of leadership.”
After winning a state championship in basketball as a sophomore and in volleyball her freshman year, Parks helped lead the Mustangs to a second-place finish at state last year. They finished third at state during her sophomore year and made it to pool play at state this year before bowing out.
Parks was also a member of the U19 USA volleyball team that won the Pan Am Games in Puerto Rico in 2023 and made the U21 National team roster this year.
Each year, a committee comprised of area high school coaches selects a recipient for the Evelyn Gates Award. But first they narrow an always-talented field to four finalists who embody “top-tier skill, spirit and sportsmanship,” as noted on the WIN for KC/Kansas City Sports Commission’s website.
“The Evelyn Gates Award is an enduring testament to a woman who broke barriers and shaped the culture of women’s sports in Kansas City for decades,” said Taylor Obersteadt, director of WIN for KC. “Her impact continues to this day, and WIN for KC is honored to be a part of her legacy.”
The other three finalists for this year’s award were:
- Alea Goolsby, St. Thomas Aquinas
- Reese Messer, St. James Academy
- Abigail Mullen, Liberty.
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 until her death in 2003, and the reach of her legacy continues today with the award in her name.
Evelyn Gates Award: past winners
2024: Logan Parks, Blue Valley North
2023: Skyler Pierce, Olathe Northwest
2022: Shaye Koski, Park Hill
2021: Addison Beagle, Liberty North
2020: Honorable mentions (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