Evelyn Gates Award Finalist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual Evelyn Gates Award is handed out to the top volleyball player in the Kansas City Metro. Each year, four players are named as finalists for this prestigious award. Not only does the award focus on their volleyball skills but leadership and dedication to their teams. I would not want to be on the selection panel this year as four of the top players to play the sport in the area over the last few years are in contention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153930' first='Abigail' last='Mullen'] - Liberty - USC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mullen has been a staple in the area since her freshman year. She has broken numerous Liberty records and won gold medals with the Team USA U19 National team. She finished her senior year with 570 kills, 259 digs, 79 aces, and 74 blocks. She will further her studies and playing career at the University of Southern California. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153937' first='Alea' last='Goolsby'] - St. Thomas Aquinas - Iowa State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goolsby just helped Aquinas capture their second state title in her playing career. In her final year for the Saints, she had 483 kills, 250 digs, 45 aces, and 39 blocks. Her next stop will be up I-35 to Ames and compete for the Iowa State Cyclones. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154041' first='Logan' last='Parks'] - Blue Valley North - Stanford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parks is a player who wears many hats on the court. She is known as a top-level setter but has been able to terminate the ball on the pin over the years. Her final campaign concluded with 405 kills, 412 assists, 202 digs, 61 aces, and 68 blocks. She will head West to Palo Alto and study at Stanford. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154039' first='Reese' last='Messer'] - St. James - USC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Messer has been one of the top setters in the city and country for years. Most didn't know she could hoop too! Reese led St. James to state four years in a row. She is another setter who showed her hitting ability. Her final high school season saw her collect 337 kills, 649 assists, 350 digs, and 56 blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My prediction: I don't like to pick on these but for the sake of it...I'm going to say [player_tooltip player_id='154041' first='Logan' last='Parks']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pred Dig 250 Expo is soon approaching on December 1st. This event allows individuals to showcase their abilities amongst other players in Kansas and Missouri! Each year new players are introduced to our rankings and many move up due to their play at this event. Sign up now! Use code MissouriExpo2024 for a discount!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->