Annika Welty’s contributions went well beyond thunderous kills and abrasive blocks.

Citizen file photo
Park Hill South senior Annika Welty prepares to hit a spike against Liberty during a match this past season.

A three-year standout, Park Hill South’s senior ended up a two-time Missouri Volleyball Coaches Association pick after finishing her career as one of the most accomplished players in program history. She compiled 765 kills and 150 blocks from 2015 to 2017 but also contributed 54 service aces and 112 digs.

In addition to the all-state honors, a panel of voters also named Welty the 2017 Evelyn Gates Award winner, recognizing her in a November ceremony as the top player in the Kansas City Metro Area. She made Park Hill South just the second school to have multiple winners of the Evelyn Gates Award, posthumously named for a retired histology technician at KU Medical Center who officiated high school and college volleyball, softball and basketball for more than 45 years in the Kansas City area.

Welty led Park Hill South to back-to-back Class 4 district titles, including the repeat run this year with just two seniors on the roster and multiple freshmen playing in key roles.

As a sophomore, Welty — a 6-foot-3 middle hitter committed to continue her career at Creighton — ranked second on the team in kills (221) to go with a team-high 28 blocks during Park Hill South’s 29-6-1 season that ended with a loss in the Class 4 District 15 title game. She increased her production to team-highs of 263 kills and 47 total blocks in a 31-2-1 2016 season that ended with a loss to St. Teresa’s Academy in the Class 4 quarterfinals.

Welty posted career-highs in kills (274) and blocks (75) while adding a team-high 33 service aces as a senior with Park Hill South again finishing its season with a playoff loss to St. Teresa’s Academy — this time in sectionals. She posted a career-best for blocks in a single match with nine against the Stars, and she recorded a career-high 16 kills in a win over Northland Christian and a loss to Lee’s Summit this season.

In her career, Welty posted double-figures in kills 25 times, 13 times in her senior season.

VOLLEYBALL POSTSEASON HONORS

MISSOURI VOLLEYBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION ALL-STATE

Class 4

Annika Welty, sr., Park Hill South

MVCA ALL-DISTRICT

Class 4

Annika Welty, sr., Park Hill South; Kacy Lewallen, jr., Park Hill South; Kai Welsh, sr., Park Hill; Kayla Huffman, sr., Park Hill; Kenzie Polley, sr., Platte County

Class 1

Ciara Davies, sr., West Platte

ALL-SUBURBAN CONFERENCE BLUE DIVISION

First team

OH — Kenzie Polley, sr., Platte County; L — Carli Hensley, jr., Platte County; MB — Lauren Walker, sr., Platte County

Second team

S — Ashley Bell, so., Platte County; OH — PJ Curry, sr., Platte County

ALL-SUBURBAN CONFERENCE GOLD DIVISION

Second Team

S — Kayla Huffman, sr., Park Hill; MB — Kai Welsh, sr., Park Hill

ALL-SUBURBAN CONFERENCE RED DIVISION

First team