Senior Madison Lilley wins Evelyn Gates Award
Ceremony to name top high school volleyball player in Metro KC held at BV West
November 17, 2016
“It’s just easier to concentrate on being a team; we all want the same thing,” senior Madison Lilley said in an interview with local sportscaster Dave Stewart in front of the entire BV West student body and several sports and volleyball dignitaries.
Lilley’s selection as the Evelyn Gates Award winner, the top volleyball player in the Kansas City metropolitan area, was celebrated where many of her best moments as a player took place, the BV West gym.
Stewart took the microphone first to warm up the students, many who were unaware of why they were there. They quickly got an explanation of the importance of women’s sports from some of the greats in KC athletics. Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission, Lisa Diven, director of WIN for KC and Erin Birmingham Haniger, former KC Star Scholar/Athlete of the Year and Evelyn Gates Award winner all spoke about the importance of women’s sports in our community. Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management Financial Advisor Sports and Entertainment Director and former athlete, Kathy Kunkler, told personal stories about Gates.
In addition to Lilley, the other nominees included Alex Haffner from Lee’s Summit North, Annika Welty from ParkHill South and Genna Berg from Blue Springs South. All are seniors going on to play Division 1 volleyball with the exception of Welty who just finished her junior season.
Lilley appeared surprised when she was told that she had won the award but was articulate and graceful as she answered additional questions from Stewart.
The crowd gave Lilley a spirited standing ovation.
Those wishing to view the ceremony can find it on Spectrum Sports Channels 30 and 323, and Comcast Cable Kansas 68, 258, 913HD on Friday, Nov. 18 at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20 at noon and Monday, Nov. 21 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Two winners,one team. Like Lilley, Coach Jessica Kopp also won the Evelyn Gates Award when she was in high school.
Ryan Barrett
Summit broadcaster, Dave Stewart, takes the podium to begin the awards celebration.
Ryan Barrett
Members of the selection committee stand to be recognized.
Spanish teacher and volleyball coach Jessica Kopp stands to be recognized as a former Evelyn Gates awardee.
Kopp appreciates the warm reception she gets from the student body as she is announced as a former winner of the prestigious award.
Ryan Barrett
KC Sports Commission president and CEO talks about the impact of sports.
Ryan Barrett
Win KC director Lisa Diven talks to the student body about the importance of women’s sports in KC.
Ryan Barrett
Former three sport varsity athlete, Kathleen Kunkler, first vice president at Morgan Stanley talks to the student about Evelyn Gates. Kunkler is a long-time friend of teacher Debbie Glenn and associate principal Cindy Roach.
Ryan Barrett
Genna Berg, senior from Blue Springs South was interviewed about the skills to be a team captain.
Ryan Barrett
Senior from Lee’s Summit North, Alex Haffner, discusses playing club volleyball with many of the other nominees.
Ryan Barrett
Annika Welty, Park Hill South junior was the youngest nominee for the award.
Ryan Barrett
Lilley seemed a bit shy about doing an interview in front of her peers when she was called to the podium.
Stewart enjoyed teasing Lilley about her friends during the interview portion of the presentation.
Stewart and Lilley shared a joke about the freshmen during his interview.
Lilley could not contain her excitement upon being named the Evelyn Gates Metro KC Volleyball Player of the Year for 2016.
Lilley appeared shocked when Stewart announced that she had won the award.
Ryan Barrett
Lilley’s friends showed their excitement for her tremendous achievement.
Ryan Barrett
The senior boys show their respect for Lilley’s accomplishment.
KC sports broadcaster Dave Stewart teases the sophomores.
Lauren Stoskopf
Lilley with Win KC director Lisa Diven.
Lauren Stoskopf
The Evelyn Gates trophy with Madison Lilley’s name engraved.