Missouri's best

Four athletes from The Democrat’s coverage area were named to the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association all-state teams.

Laurel Larimore, of Green Ridge, made the Class 1 second team.

Rachel Fischer and Kelli Lamb, both of Sacred Heart, netted honorable mentions in Class 1.

Erin Eckhoff, of Stover, received an honorable mention on the Class 2 team.

Fischer and the other senior all-staters will play in an all-star tournament Dec. 6 at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. All all-staters will be recognized at a banquet beforehand.

Larimore, a junior outside hitter, helped Green Ridge win its first district title since 2006, knocking off two-time state champion Sacred Heart. Green Ridge (21-10-2) lost 25-18, 25-11 to New Haven in the sectionals.

Larimore led Green Ridge in kills with 215 and was a team leader. She had a .350 kill percentage and 160 digs.

“When the game is  close, (her teammates) want Laurel in that outside-hitting spot,” Green Ridge coach Lori Larimore said. “She’s a smart player.”

The coach said that her niece doesn’t just pound away at the net. She will take a little off and hit the open spot.

“She is a very strong and athletic girl,” the coach said. “She’s very competitive, and she can jump out of the gym.”

Larimore was a first-team all-Central/South Central Region selection. Teammate Torey Williams made the second team.

Senior setter/outside hitter Fischer and sophomore setter/middle hitter Lamb helped Sacred Heart win the Kaysinger Conference regular-season and tournament titles. The Gremlins finished 16-12-3.

“I’m very proud of both of them,” Sacred Heart coach David Fall said. “They had a nice year. They helped us go 7-0 in conference and win the conference tournament.”

Fisher led the Gremlins with 368 assists and 70 aces. She had 92 kills and 112 digs.

“Rachel Fischer gave us a lot of stability and court knowledge and had a heavier role running the floor,” Fall said.

Lamb finished with 222 kills, 65 kill-blocks and 259 assists.

Rachel Fritz and Lamb were  first-team all-region performers. Fischer made the second team, and Erica Stone received an honorable mention.

Eckhoff, a sophomore middle hitter, received an honorable mention on the Class 2 all-state team. She helped the Stover Lady Bulldogs go from six wins in 2008 to 20 in 2009.

She was a first-team all-region pick, as was teammate Kaylee Uptegrove. Teammate Kristin Wilson received an honorable mention.

All-Region Volleyball
The following players were named to the all-Central/South Central Region volleyball team by the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association.

CLASS 1
First Team

Kelli Lamb, Sacred Heart
Laurel Larimore, Green Ridge
Rachel Fritz, Sacred Heart

Second Team
Rachel Fischer, Sacred Heart
Torey Williams, Green Ridge

Honorable Mention
Erica Stone, Sacred Heart

CLASS 2

First Team
Erin Eckhoff, Stover
Quincy Harms, Cole Camp
Kaylee Uptegrove, Stover
Kyra Williams, Knob Noster.

Second Team
Kelly Malcolm, Knob Noster
Raegan Pierson, Cole Camp
Taryn Kohn, Warsaw

Honorable Mention
Britney Murphy, Knob Noster
Kristin Wilson, Stover