FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Griffin Schaetzle
KANSAS CITY, MO (November 3, 2026) – WIN for KC is delighted to announce four finalists for the 21st annual Evelyn Gates Award presented by Children’s Mercy. The award, the only one of its kind to commemorate a female official in the states of Missouri and Kansas, honors the top female high school varsity volleyball player in the Kansas City region.
Each year, Kansas City metro area high school coaches nominate and select an award recipient that exhibits top tier skill, spirit and sportsmanship in the Kansas City vicinity. This year, the four finalists are as follows:
Presley Kreter | St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Peyton Kubik | Blue Valley West High School
Tori Massengill | Lee’s Summit West High School
Riley Riggs | Mill Valley High School
“We are proud to recognize these four outstanding student-athletes and the talent, dedication and sportsmanship they bring to the volleyball court and their communities,” said Ella Phillips, Manager of WIN for KC. “Each finalist represents the qualities that make this award so meaningful, and we are excited to celebrate their accomplishments as we honor the legacy of Evelyn Gates.”
The annual traveling trophy will be presented to the athlete to display at her school along with a $500 stipend.
Award ceremony details:
Date – Wednesday, November 10
Time – 6:30 pm
Location – National WWI Museum and Memorial Auditorium
For more information about the Evelyn Gates Award and WIN for KC, click here.
About Evelyn Gates
Evelyn Gates (1932-2003), a retired histology technician from KU Medical Center, officiated high school and college volleyball, softball and basketball for over 45 years in the Kansas City area and was a staunch supporter of girls’ high school sports. During her officiating career, she touched the lives of tens of thousands of high school athletes, parents and officials. She mentored many women officials in the sports of softball, basketball and volleyball during the infant stages of the Title IX movement and continued that mentoring during her officiating career. Evelyn died of cancer on May 5, 2003 and a memorial fund has been established to support the Evelyn Gates Award.
About Children’s Mercy
Founded in 1897, Children’s Mercy is a nationally recognized, independent pediatric health system and a world leader in pediatric translational research committed to transforming the lives of children and families. With hospitals and specialty clinics across Missouri and Kansas, Children’s Mercy delivers world-class, family-centered care closer to home. As a nonprofit organization, Children’s Mercy reinvests every dollar donated into advancing pediatric medicine, supporting innovative research and training the next generation of pediatric specialists. With more than 800 pediatric experts, researchers and faculty we are dedicated to improving outcomes and creating a healthier future for all children. Children’s Mercy has earned repeated recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” and is the first health system in Missouri or Kansas to receive six consecutive Magnet designations for nursing excellence. Thanks to generous philanthropic support and a strong volunteer community, Children’s Mercy provides hope, comfort and the prospect of brighter tomorrows to every child who comes through its doors. Visit Children’s Mercy and the Children’s Mercy Research Institute to learn more, and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube for the latest news and videos.
About WIN for KC
The Women’s Intersport Network for Kansas City (WIN for KC), was established in 1994 under the umbrella of the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission, with the mission to ignite girls and women through advocating and promoting the lifetime value of sports and fitness, while providing opportunities for participation and leadership development. WIN is a volunteer, membership-driven organization that operates as a program of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation. For more information, visit WINforKC.org. For the latest on WIN for KC news, follow on X, Facebook and Instagram.