Kiski Area to host 3rd We Serve First All-Star Classic girls volleyball game

By: Michael Love
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 | 12:51 PM

The third annual We Serve First All-Star Classic, sponsored by the We Serve First Foundation, is set for Dec. 7 at Kiski Area High School.

The event will celebrate and recognize the skills of 40 of the top senior girls volleyball players from 20 schools in the Alle-Kiski Valley and surrounding communities.

Doors that day open at 3 p.m. with player/coach introductions at 3:30.

The first-round games are to begin at 4:15.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Children 4 and younger will be admitted free. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 724-493-5945. They also will be available at the door the day of the event.

Tim Toy, executive director of the We Serve First Foundation, said the list of selected players is expected to be finalized and announced next week.

The four coaches who will head up the all-star teams are Knoch’s Diane Geist, Burrell’s Alyson Shirey, Armstrong’s Andrea Lasher and St. Joseph’s Ann McCarthy.

Proceeds raised from the event will go to support the foundation’s efforts.

In 2015, longtime western Pennsylvania high school and club volleyball coach Ellen Toy, realizing her six-year battle with gastric cancer was coming to an end, established the We Serve First Foundation to support high school volleyball players by providing scholarships to participate on club volleyball teams and at volleyball camps.

“The We Serve First Foundation seeks out young athletes with financial burdens, regardless of their age or skill level, and helps them find a love for competition in a team sport,” said Tim Toy, Ellen’s husband.

“This helps these young people develop valuable skills necessary to compete not only in sports, but also in life. I know how proud Ellen would be of how well this has worked and in all the athletes it has served up to now.”

For more information, contact Tim Toy at 724-493-5945 or at weserve1st@gmail.com.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Kiski Area