WOODLAND'S BOOTH NAMED FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE IN 2A

Sarah Booth, a senior outside hitter at Woodland, was recently named first-team all-state in Class 2A for volleyball.

Booth was the only player from the immediate area to be named to the first team.

In Class 1A, Sarah Gowen from Leopold and St. Vincent's Jessica Lakenan were named to the second team. Also in 1A, Pearline Gill and Jessica Sillinum were both first teamers from Bernie.

Booth, a second-team all-stater last year, recorded 251 kills and 168 digs, proving her versatility on both offense and defense.

Booth was the best player on the Lady Cardinal team which finished 28-7 this past season and took third place in Class 2A.

In addition to being named first-team all-state, Booth was a member of the KTJJ Dream Team as well as the Stoddard County Activities Association team, the SCAA Tournament team, the all-district team, the all-region team and the Woodland Tournament team.

"She contributed a lot of leadership," said Woodland volleyball coach Emily Johnson. "She was definitely and all-around player. She knew the game and she worked hard and she tried to excel at every position she played.

"The second round-robin game at state she suffered an ankle sprain and mentally we just fell apart without her out there. She was able to return on Saturday and that was comforting to her teammates."

St. Vincent's Lakenan led the Squaws in every major statistic, which included 326 kills and 125 blocks. The three-year starter and team captain was named the Jefferson County Conference Most Valuable Player. St. Vincent finished the year with a 10-16-4 record.

Gowen was a setter for Leopold and is a three-time all-stater, getting first team honors her sophomore year then second team honors the last two years.

Gowen, who will be playing volleyball at East Central Junior College near St. Louis, was also named to the all-district, region and conference teams as well as the Woodland and Meadow Heights Tournament teams.

Bernie's Bill Zoll was named Class 1A coach of the year.