The Attack volleyball team received a sportsmanship award in Topeka on January 25 at a luncheon hosted by the Kansas Recreation and Park Association (KRPA).
Coached by Denise Andrews, the Oxford Middle School 7th graders have played volleyball together since they were in kindergarten. They were chosen because of their commitments to good sportsmanship and community service. Team Attack earned the KRPA Youth Sports Team of the Year Award, as selected by the KRPA Youth Sports Committee. Each year the Committee selects one Kansas team to be honored for their sportsmanship, as demonstrated by team members, coaches and parents.
Andrews has been a youth sports coach for 20 years and the P.E. instructor at Oak Hill Elementary for 25 years. After coaching this group of girls in elementary school, Andrews was asked, by players and their parents, to remain their coach. “I couldn’t refuse—they’re a special group of young ladies. They love the game and work hard to achieve both personal and team goals. Friends on and off the court, they support each other through actions and encouraging words.” Amy Young, and Lori Victorine serve as assistant coaches.
Steve Baysinger, Blue Valley Recreation’s Executive Director, notes, “Denise Andrews and her Attack team represent all that is right with sports. They play hard, support each other, and give back to their community—they make a difference.”
Team members are: Lindsay Amick, Sarah Callahan, Katie Dean, Jill Fisher, Lilly Inman, Emory Mathes, Taylor Victorine, Kylie Young and Lizzy Young. Girls on the Attack team don’t spend all their time on the court—they’re also actively invested in their schools and community. They:
- volunteer to mentor a 4th grade Blue Valley Recreation volleyball team
- support the Blue Valley Blue Streaks at the Special Olympics Bowl-A-Thon
- attend meetings of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at OMS
- participate in the “Light the Night Walk” to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- support other sports programs at OMS, Blue Valley Northwest, and KU
- travel with church mission groups, including a scheduled trip to Joplin