SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri State volleyball head coach Melissa Stokes completed her 2010 coaching staff Thursday with the hiring of Jeremiah Larsen as assistant coach. Larsen, who comes to Missouri State after serving as an assistant coach at Southeast Missouri State for the past three seasons, begins his duties July 12, filling the vacancy created by Leah Johnson’s departure in May.

    “Jeremiah comes from an outstanding volleyball background,” Stokes said. “What impresses me most about him is he knows how to win and will add to the success already established in our program. He won a state title as a high school coach and a national championship as a player at BYU. He has played libero and setter and excels at training outside hitters, all areas that will complement our staff in the gym.”

    Larsen joined the coaching staff at Southeast Missouri State prior to the 2007 season and helped transform SEMO into one of the top defensive teams in the nation. The Redhawks ranked 14th nationally in digs per set in 2008 before jumping to second with a 19.29 average in 2009.

    Prior to his stint at SEMO, Larsen was a volunteer assistant coach at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, and served as head coach at Brighton High School in Sandy, Utah. In 2006, Larsen guided Brighton to a 30-1 record, the Utah 5A state championship and a No. 9 national ranking according to PrepVolleyball.com. Larsen was named Utah Coach of the Year honors from the Salt Lake Tribune for his efforts. Brighton compiled a 78-5 record in Larsen’s three seasons as head coach.

    In addition, he coached at the Summit Volleyball Club for three years, which ranked No. 15 in the nation (PrepVolleyball.com) in 2006.

    Larsen competed for four seasons and lettered two years as a setter/libero at Brigham Young University. He was a member of the 2001 NCAA Division I and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Championship teams. Larsen received his undergraduate degree in sociology at BYU in 2006.

    Larsen and his wife, Casie, a Willard native, have one son, Brock.

    Larsen’s hire is pending approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next meeting on July 30.