The Tribune has named six local volleyball players to its All-Area first team. The team is made up of three Lake Mills players and one each from Albert Lea, Alden-Conger and New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva.
Lake Mills’ senior libero Hallie Erdahl and senior setter Carlie Christianson have been named the Tribune’s Co-Players of the Year for their roles on the Bulldogs’ volleyball team in the 2012 season.
According to Bulldogs’ head coach Jim Boehmer, Erdahl is the first player to hold the libero position in years.
“It is an amazing honor to get a uniform we don’t just hand out,” Boehmer said.
In her career Erdahl has earned First Team All-Conference, All-District, Second Team All-State by the Des Moines Register and Honorable Mention All-State in the Iowa Girls Coaches Association.
On the season Erdahl recorded 30 serving aces, 380 digs and four set assists. She was also 429 of 434 in serving.
Christianson has played on the Bulldogs’ varsity team for the last three years. She has been named All-State, First Team North Iowa Conference, Second Team North Iowa Conference, Iowa Girls Coaches Association All-Star selection and All-District.
“She is one of the greatest athletes I have coached in 21 seasons,” Boehmer said.
Christianson recorded 515 set assists, 174 digs, 89 block assists, 137 kills and 49 ace serves.
Also named to the Tribune All-Area first team were Annie Ladwig, Kelci Larson, Ariel Keller and Carlie Wagner.

Annie Ladwig, junior outside hitter, Albert Lea
Annie Ladwig has been a Big Nine All-Conference selection and Amateur Athletic Union All-American. This season Ladwig had 225 kills, 29 solo blocks and 251 serve receives. She also had 18 service aces, a 37.8 percent kill rate and a 2.23 pass rating.

Kelci Larson, senior, middle hitter, Lake Mills
Kelci Larson has been named First-Team All-Conference, North Iowa Conference Honorable Mention and All-District.
Larson has been a varsity player for three years. This season Larson recorded 200 kills, 47 ace serves, 149 digs and 104 blocks.

Ariel Keller, senior, outside hitter, Alden-Conger
Ariel Keller is a two-year captain for the Knights. Keller has been named Valley Conference All-Conference two times. She totaled 243 kills, 34 ace serves and 446 digs.

Carlie Wagner, junior, middle hitter, NRHEG
Carlie Wagner played in 87 games for the Panthers this season. She totaled 335 kills, 22 ace serves, 188 digs and 107 blocks.