By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer

Bernie middle hitter Jenny Eubank and setter Amber Mirth were named to the Class 1 all-state team as honorable mentions while Briana Johnson was honorable mention in Class 2.

Several area volleyball players headlined their respective all-district teams as Twin Rivers led the way with four first-teamers and one second-team selection in Class 2 District 2, as well as four all-Ozark Foothills Conference selections.

Led by OFC Coach of the Year Kelly Null, the Lady Royals won the OFC tournament championship before eventually falling to Scott City in the district final match.

Johnson received recognition as a member of the all-OFC team as well as First Team All-District, honorable mention All-Region and honorable mention All-State. Joining her on the OFC team were teammates Tosha Woodham and Kaylee Blue.

"Briana is a powerful player," says Lady Royals coach Kelly Null. "She sees the floor well. She's very aggressive and determined," she says.

Null says that Woodham and Johnson are the team's best hitters.

Eubank totaled 250 kills this season and also displayed a powerful serve, recording 22 aces with a service accuracy of 98 percent.

"Jenny had the most kills of any Bernie player since I've been here, and Amber had the most assists of any Bernie player in that same time frame," says Lady Mules coach Jeff Rodgers.

Mirth provided her teammates with 600 assists and spread her skill to all aspects of the game, totaling 279 digs on defense and 56 aces with 90 percent service accuracy.

Mirth and Eubank led the Lady Mules to an 87-29-3 record over their four-year careers, including one year on the junior varsity level. This year the team finished 19-12-2, losing to Bell City in the district championship match.

"I started my coaching career with these girls in the seventh grade," Rodgers says.

Rodgers notes that the pair, whom he also coaches on the girls' basketball team, have always shared a strong dedication to improving themselves as athletes.

"Even as seventh graders they were always among the first to finish their running and conditioning drills and they never stopped doing that," he says.

Rodgers says his seniors are great examples on and off the court.

"They have always shown respect to me and other teachers," he says. "They're just great kids who I think will accomplish great things."

Null says that this year's team benefited from the play and leadership of its seniors.

"All six seniors hustle like crazy. Our seniors definitely set the standard for work ethic and I expect that from everybody," she says.

According to her coach, Johnson's desire for perfection is what makes her such a good player.

"She hates to mess up," Null says. "The whole group of seniors is that way."

In Class 4 District 1, Poplar Bluff middle hitter Jamie Fritts earned a spot on the all-district first team, while Hannah Pratt and Tori Williams were named honorable mentions.