​Gallagher breaks nine year old record in win over Indians

by Michael Smith


Before the season started, Grain Valley junior Kayla Gallagher had a goal in mine.
It was regarding a milestone she wanted to reach.

Coming into Thursday’s Class 5 District 5 Volleyball Tournament first-round game against Fort Osage, the Eagle outside hitter knew she was close to it.

After she got a kill late in the first set, the Grain Valley crowd gave her a lengthy applause. Her parents held up a sign in the crowd, which displayed what she had accomplished.

Gallagher had broken the school record for kills in a season with her 290th of 2023. She led the Eagles with 11 kills as her team rolled to a 25-7, 25-11, 25-23 victory against the Indians at Truman High School.

Grain Valley (17-8) will take on the winner of Columbia Rock Bridge and Truman in the semifinals at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

Before Gallagher broke the record, Jordan Morrison held the record that was set in 2014.

“I knew about the record before the game, but I didn’t know I was that close,” Gallagher said.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the setters. They have really stepped up this year.”
It has been my goal to break that record every year, but this year, I really felt like it was doable. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of my teammates.”

Gallagher is not just someone who racks up kills for the Eagles either. She is a great all-around player who is well above average at serves and playing defense. On Thursday, she totaled three aces.

“She has a very quick arm swing,” Grain Valley head coach Tori Squiers said of Gallagher.

“Defensively, she can see the court and she plays all six rotations. Her being able to play defense leads into her offense.”

Gallagher wasn’t the only Eagle to break a school record this season, as senior Megan Davies broke the school record for blocks in a career. The previous record was 151, she currently has 167.

“It’s pretty awesome to see both of those girls break records in the same season,” Squiers said.

Joining the party at the net was sophomore Kyleigh Casey, who was just behind Gallagher with 10 kills against Fort Osage. She’s one of many girls on Grain Valley who have the ability to rack up kills at the net.

“Kayleigh played mostly right side (hitter) for us earlier in the season, but she has transitioned into being an outside hitter,” Squiers said. “She’s a beast up there at the net.”
Added Gallagher: “She’s filled in her role really well as a sophomore. Even as a freshman last year, she stepped up as a leader and a good scorer on our team. It’s been really nice to have her.”

The Eagles trailed 4-0 in the second set but came storming back to outscore Fort Osage 25-7 the rest of the way led by the trio of Davies, Gallagher and Casey, who combined for eight kills.

​They were in a battle with the Indians in the third set as neither team led by more than three points. Fort Osage led 9-6 at one point, but Grain Valley slowly chipped away. With the set tied at 23-all, a ball hit out of bounds by the Indians and a smashing kill from Casey ended it.

Grain Valley junior Kayla Gallagher, left, broke the school record for kills in a season with her 290th of 2023. She also led the team with 11 kills, while sophomore Kayleigh Casey, right, added 10 during Grain Valley's 25-7, 25-11, 25-23 victory over Fort Osage in the first round of the Class 5 District 5 Tournament. Photo credit: Michael Smith