Stillwater repeats as MCAA state volleyball, soccer champs
It was another banner day for Stillwater Christian School on its home court and pitch Saturday.
The Cougars successfully defended their Montana Christian Athletic Association state volleyball and soccer championships.
Volleyball
Stillwater 3,
Helena Christian 0
The Cougars rolled in the final, winning 25-18, 25-18, 28-26.
Jordan Danz and Sarah Paolini once again led the net game with 19 and 14 kills, respectively.
Paolini collected a team-best four blocks.
Sophie George led Stillwater in digs with 10. Morgan Paolini had a team-high four aces and 41 assists.
Danz was named the tournament MVP.
Sarah Paolini, Morgan Paolini and Danz were all first-team all tournament picks.
Sarah Smith and Mariah Burden graced the second team.
Stillwater finished the season with a 26-0 record.
“The whole team had a great weekend,” SCS coach Diane Smith said.
“A great final game.
“They played well overall,” Smith added.
“They had little knots in their stomach to get started (for the final), but pulled together as a team and played well.”
Smith said the seniors on this year’s team have played a total of 110 matches the last four years and only lost three times.
Kills — SCS 43 (Jordan Danz 19, Sarah Paolini 14). Assists — SCS 41 (Morgan Paolini 41). Digs — SCS 44 (Sophie George 10, Danz 9). Aces — SCS 9 (M. Paolini 4). Blocks — SCS 5 (S. Paolini 4).
No stats for Helena
Soccer
Stillwater 9,
Yellowstone County 1
Zack Waldher, Zach Falk and Josh Bray scored two goals each as Stillwater Christian School rolled to an easy championship victory.
Julian Emond assisted on the first three goals in the first 17 minutes, 30 seconds of play.
Emond also scored a goal at 61 minutes.
Stillwater (18-5) led 5-0 at the half.
“Excellent way to end a great season,” Stillwater coach Tim Anderson said.
“This was a great send off for our seniors (Waldher, Falk, Cole Moore and Noah Hashley) today. Team captains Zack Walher and Zack Falk led the charge with early scoring and defense in the middle of the field. The guys played excellent team soccer. They truly possessed the ball well today and finished strong.”
Stillwater outshot Yellowstone County 26-14.
David Willis had 13 keeper saves for SCS.
“We were also thankful for a good, clean game despite wet conditions,” Anderson said.
“Fullback BJ Bach also played big for us today. He had a goal saving tackle in the first 3 minutes that truly sparked our team early on. I am also pleased with the unselfish play from Julian Emond. He delivered the passes on the first three goals. Keeper David Willis allowed only one goal this entire tournament and his solid play earned him second team all-tournament honors.”
Waldher was named the tournament MVP. Waldher, Bray and Falk were first team all-tournament selections.
Stillwater has won 19 state championships in school history.
Yellowstone County 0 1 — 1
Stillwater Christian 5 4 — 9
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY — Matthew Wilson, 54:00
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN — Zack Waldher (Julian Emond), 5:00; Zach Falk (Emond), 7:16; Joe King (Emond), 17:30; Josiah Mathwig (King), 30:15; Waldher (Josh Bray), 35:00; Falk (Waldher), 43:00; Emond (Jarron Neuman), 61:00; Bray (Falk), 63:00; Bray (Waldher), NA.
Shots on goal — Yellowstone 14, Stillwater 26; Corner kicks — Yellowstone 2, Stillwater 4; Goalie saves — Yellowstone 19 (Naaman Lund), Stillwater 13 (David Willis); Fouls — NA; Cards — NA.