We Serve First all-star games to honor area girls volleyball seniors

By: Michael Love
Monday, September 29, 2025 | 10:27 AM

The We Serve First Foundation celebrated a successful Pack the Park match earlier this month with Kiski Area defeating Norwin on the outdoor Ellen Toy grass court at Kennedy Park in Vandergrift.

The foundation now is looking forward to its fourth annual all-star classic Dec. 6 at Kiski Area High School.

The evening of volleyball will highlight the skills of 40 seniors from 30 schools in the Alle-Kiski Valley and beyond. Area head coaches will lead the four teams and will participate in a selection process in advance of the games to assemble the rosters.

Doors for the all-star games open at 3 p.m. with player/coach introductions at 3:30. The first-round games start at approximately 4:15.

Proceeds from the event will go to support the We Serve First Foundation, which helps high school volleyball players in the A-K Valley and beyond with scholarships to participate on club volleyball teams and in volleyball camps.

In 2015, Ellen Toy, a longtime high school and club volleyball coach in Western Pennsylvania, realized that her six-year battle with gastric cancer was coming to an end and established the foundation with the help of her husband, Tim.

“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, the foundation’s executive director.

“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.”

Tickets for the all-star evening are $5 or adults, $3 for students, and youth under 5 are free. They can be purchased by calling Tim Toy at 724-493-5945. They also will be available at the door.

For more information, email 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.