Bell City's Johnson tabbed first team All-State

Freshman sensation Jasmine Johnson of Bell City was recently voted First Team All-State in Class 1 by the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association (MHSVCA) after leading the Lady Cubs to a third place finish at the state tournament.

All-State honors were also garnered by teammate Codie Lancaster and Bernie's Kristin Eaves when the two Stoddard County players were voted to the second team.

Bell City has dominated volleyball play in the Missouri bootheel recently, earning a state title in 2003 while advance to the state tournament four of the past six years.

Lancaster, a senior, has played a big role in Bell City success the past four years after being thrust into the starting lineup as a freshman. She finishes here high school career with 2,871 assists, 826 of those coming this season.

Johnson, at 5'5" and slightly built, is following a similar high school path, starting as a freshman and quickly being recognized as one of the most dynamic players in Class 1. She recorded 461 kills and 500 digs this season.

Bell City coach Erin Hoffman has stated that Johnson "is the most naturally gifted" athletes she has coached.

Eaves, a senior at Bernie, has helped the Lady Mules to a 122-31-4 record since the 7th grade. At 6'2" Eaves was a force at the net, recording 280 kills, 226 blocks (104 solo) and had a kill percentage of 30.

"I'm very proud of Kristin for receiving this great honor," Bernie coach Jeff Rodgers commented. "There are a lot of very good players in 1A , especially in the hot bed for volleyball, the Southeast Region. She had her ACL rebuilt a year ago, and for her to come back with a great year like this is very commendable.

"She's also a great student, a great person, and she'll be able to continue her playing career at college if she chooses to," Rodgers continued. "We're going to have a tough time replacing her."

The SCAA also recently announced its post-season honors and Johnson, Lancaster and Eaves were all first team selections also with Dexter's Cathryn Heil and Jessica Satterfield while Bloomfield's Jessica White rounded out the six-member first team.

Second team honors went to Dexter's Abbie Warren, Bell City's Sherilyn Long, Puxico's Sara Holloway and Kristen Pratt, Bernie's Sami Palmer and Woodland Lauren Johnson.

Long was also named the league's Defensive Player of the Year, while Hoffman was Coach of the Year.