By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Recent Hayden graduate Ella Foster brought down the curtain on her outstanding multi-sport career Saturday night in Washburn University's Whiting Fieldhouse ... but not before adding a couple of final highlights.
Hayden multi-sport star Ella Foster helped lead the Red to a 4-1 win over the Blue in Saturday's KVA All-Star Match in Whiting Fieldhouse. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Foster, who helped lead the Wildcats to two state team titles and a runnerup finish as a senior, helped the Red post a 4-1 win over the Blue in the Kansas Volleyball Association's 40th annual All-Star Match while also receiving the Judy Bellamo Most Inspirational Player Award.
Foster contributed a team high 19 digs and also added three consecutive service aces in the fifth set as the Red took a 25-23, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-6 victory over the Blue.
It was a fitting farewell to competitive athletics before Foster heads off to Kansas State this fall.
"This is it,'' Foster said. "It was nice to have one final hurrah, one last game. It was really fun and I got to play with some of my best friends.
"I think I will (miss it), but I know I spent my time well. I'm really glad I did it, but we'll see what the future asks. I think it's time and I'm really excited I did it and I'm really happy and I'll still probably be around the sport. I'm coaching next year (for Topeka Impact) so I'm really excited about that.''
Foster's appearance in Saturday's All-Star Match came exactly one week after she helped the Wildcats finish off an undefeated season with the Class 4A-1A state soccer championship.
Foster admitted that she was a little rusty when she reported for KVA practice, but was able to quickly round into volleyball shape.
"It took a minute,'' Foster said. "Practice was rough for sure, but I think once I got on the court and just being on the stage it really was just like a switch flips in my brain and I'm like, 'Oh, it's go time.'
"I was ready to go. I was excited.''
Hayden Meats (Gardner-Edgerton) High School led the Red with 12 kills while
both Jade Xu (Emporia) and Katharine Engle (Halstead) added nine
kills each.
Washburn Rural product Stella Kelly contributed 24 assists in the Red's 4-1 win in Saturday's KVA All-Star Match. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural product Stella Kelly (Washburn Rural) led the Red in
assists with 24, followed by Neely Leathers (Olathe West) with 18.
Silver Lake product Paige Heiman (3) celebrates a block with her Red teammates in Saturday's KVA All-Star Match. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Delaney Childs (Nickerson) led the Red with five blocks while Olivia Nzioki (Mill Valley) and Silver Lake's Paige Heiman added four each.
Engle led the Red in aces with four.
Cami Sher (Olathe West) led the Blue in kills with 14, while Brynna Zoeller (Rock Creek) led the Blue with 22 assists.
Shawnee Heights product Avery Willey had 16 digs for the Blue in Saturday's KVA All-Star Match. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Carlie Pandjaris (Blue Valley West) had 20 digs, with Shawnee Heights product Avery Willey adding 16.
Pandjaris contributed three service aces.
Shawnee County players received three of the four annual awards presented by the KVA.
In addition to Foster's Bellamo Most Inspirational Award, Rural's Kelly received the Flo Hyman Scholarship and Heights' Willey received the Don Bechard Memorial Award.
Gardner-Edgerton's Meats received the Joan Lundstrom Wells Award of Excellence.
Hayden and Silver Lake were recognized by the KVA as the Class 4A and 3A programs of the year while Silver Lake was also recognized as a 2025 state champion.
Washburn Rural volleyball coach Kevin Bordewick, who ranks No. 2 on Kansas' all-time win list, was presented with a plaque commemorating his 1,100th career victory recorded in the 2025 season. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural coach Kevin Bordewick received a plaque commemorating his 1,100th career win during the 2025 season. Bordewick currently ranks second all-time in Kansas for career victories.
