St. Thomas Aquinas senior wins Evelyn Gates Award for KC-best volleyball prowess
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- Grace Martin of St. Thomas Aquinas won the 2025 Evelyn Gates Award.
- Committee of area coaches selects finalists then awards the traveling trophy.
- Award honors Evelyn Gates’ legacy and grants $500 to the school athletics.
St. Thomas Aquinas High School senior Grace Martin is the 2025 recipient of the Evelyn Gates Award, given annually to the top girls prep volleyball player in the Kansas City area.
The announcement that Martin had won the Evelyn Gates Award was made this week on the campus at St. Thomas Aquinas. She was presented a traveling trophy for display at the school and a $500 stipend for the Saints’ athletic department.
Martin has signed a national letter of intent with Arizona State, so she’ll be playing in the Big 12. A 5-11 outside hitter, she is ranked No. 66 in the class of 2026 by prepdig.com.
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.
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
2025: Grace Martin, St. Thomas Aquinas
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